When Angels manager Mike Scioscia mentioned using a six-man rotation this offseason, it gained a lot of attention. And while they may not even use one this season, the Yankees should in order to preserve their arms for the postseason.
There is plenty of time left for teams – and contenders – to make a few more moves. The New York Yankees might push for another arm, and maybe they should.
Both C.C. Sabathia and Luis Severino claimed they’d like to see the team add another pitcher. Severino was under the impression that Darvish would sport pinstripes in 2018. While there is still a slight possibility, it is highly unlikely.
Whether New York reels in another pitcher or not, it needs to utilize a six-man rotation at some point this upcoming season.
The Yankees possess a staff with both youth and veteran experience – something every team desires. However, they cannot rely on the more unseasoned guys during the postseason if they log too many innings.
Even Luis Severino says “I wish” when the name Yu Darvish is mentioned...
— Sco-Fid ⚾️ (@NotAHeadlineGuy) January 20, 2018
Innings limits are risky. But lifting some of the pressure off of some guys could pay dividends come October. And manager Aaron Boone can’t also rely on all of his starting pitchers to notch 200-inning seasons.
Yankees starters are essentially in two different categories. Younger guys like Luis Severino and Jordan Montgomery haven’t pitched a copious amount of innings in their careers. On the other hand, Masahiro Tanaka and C.C. Sabathia aren’t facing acute injuries but have wear and tear in their arms.
Sonny Gray is in his own category, as he proved he can withstand a six-month campaign. But he endured injuries that limited him in each of the past two seasons. He and Severino can surely hurl 200-plus innings, but they shouldn’t have to.
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An additional mid-tier pitcher makes the situation easier. Darvish is out of the mix, and general manager Brian Cashman didn’t note any interest in Jake Arrieta. Nevertheless, Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn could be on the radar.
Chance Adams and Chad Green are also suitors for a sixth spot. Adams, if he headlines the Triple-A rotation, should be stretched out before summer. Green, though not accustomed to starting anymore, has made spot starts before, so it’s not foreign to him.
Moreover, Boone doesn’t need to implement this idea immediately. However, allowing the main rotation to get an extra day of rest can be helpful. Just like how NBA clubs rest their best players for playoffs, the Yankees can keep their arms fresh.
New York’s relief pitchers may also benefit from this idea. Hypothetically, reliable starters can pitch deeper into games if they receive more rest. That could eliminate situations in which the Yankees depend on the bullpen for the majority of the game.
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Few, if any teams, expect to utilize a six-man rotation this season. New York can get ahead of the game by implementing it at some point. Even a small aspect, such as this, can be the difference for the Yankees this year.