The New York Yankees have had some issues in their starting rotation. Should they give Josh Rogers a shot before making a trade for a veteran starter?
The New York Yankees have had some issues in their starting rotation outside of Luis Severino, who will be a strong contender for the AL Cy Young Award if his pace continues. Masahiro Tanaka has been up and down.
CC Sabathia has missed some time this year. Jordan Montgomery is out with an injury. Sonny Gray is the 2018 version of Michael Pineda‘s New York Yankees career. Luis Cessa is hurt, so Domingo German has been given a chance and has been inconsistent as a young starter may be.
The New York Yankees are going to be connected with every starting pitcher in the trade market this summer, with about two months to the non-waiver deadline. Though, as any team with the minor league depth that they have should, they could look within first to help their rotation.
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Chance Adams has struggled this season and taken a significant step back. Justus Sheffield was brought up to AAA, but got hurt and hasn’t pitched more than five innings in any AAA start yet. There is one arm the club could think about turning to.
Josh Rogers isn’t on their top prospect list. The 23-year-old and former 11th round pick out of Louisville in 2015 has just gotten results. Rogers isn’t an overpowering lefty, but he’s one with low 90’s fastball, a changeup, and an effective slider.
Thus far this year, Rogers is 5-3 with a 2.48 ERA and a complete game shutout. Opponents are hitting .230 against him. In 61.2 innings, he’s given up 54 hits, 16 walks and struck out 54 batters.
Rogers could benefit from being around someone like Sabathia, who has evolved into a pitcher who looks for soft contact and doesn’t overpower people. Montgomery isn’t overpowering either, but he’s been effective in his major league career when healthy.
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The New York Yankees will no doubt look to add a starter to their rotation; however, if Rogers continues to pitch well in AAA, maybe they are better off giving him a shot in the rotation, before spending their prospect collateral on an expensive arm like Cole Hamels.