Call to the pen
Fansided

New York Yankees rumors: Seven possible starting pitching options this offseason

By Paul Ashley

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he pitches to the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game Two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he pitches to the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game Two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
New York Yankees
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 29: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on July 29, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Despite a poor start in a postseason game at Fenway Park, this veteran left-hander would be a great option to return to the rotation in 2019.

Although J.A. Happ is currently part of the blame for why the New York Yankees are in a 2-1 deficit in the ALDS, he is an incredibly talented left-handed starting pitcher.  In 2018, Happ compiled a 17-6 record with a 3.65 ERA, a 3.98 FIP, and a 1.131 WHIP between 177.2 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Yankees.

During his time in Toronto, Happ pitched to a 10-6 record with a 4.18 ERA, a 3.85 FIP, and a 1.175 WHIP.  Through 20 starts, he put together 8 quality starts.  Although this is not as impressive as the amount of quality starts Morton put together, the Blue Jays were not a very good team this season.

After Happ joined the Yankees in late July, he made 11 starts.  As the Yankees are a stronger overall team, this helped Happ put together 7 quality starts with his new team.  This is the kind of pitcher that the team needs throughout the season to save the bullpen and take the constant pressure of needing more runs off of the offense.

Even though Happ recently gave up 5 runs in only 2.0 innings of work against the Boston Red Sox in game one of the ALDS, this should not deter Brian Cashman from resigning the veteran pitcher.  This performance should not solely be put on Happ as it is very difficult to make numerous starts in a short time frame against a team, despite any history of success against that team.

Game 1 of the ALDS took place on October 5th and Happ faced the Red Sox at Fenway Park as recently as September 28th.  He also pitched against the Red Sox at Yankees Stadium on September 18th and had two other starts against them this season while he was a member of the Blue Jays.

Managers often want to avoid starting pitchers pitching to a lineup for the 4th time in one game while sometimes wanting to avoid the lineup a 3rd time in one game.  As Happ recently faced the Red Sox while the Yankees were trying to clinch home-field advantage for the Wild Card game, he basically started game 1 of the ALDS going through their lineup for the 3rd/4th time.

Nonetheless, if the Yankees are able to force a game 5, they will undoubtedly go with Happ.  If Happ can be trusted for this potential, monumental game, he should be a top priority to be re-signed as we already know he can handle pitching in pinstripes.

Home/MLB Rumors