Reports noted that the New York Yankees are interested in signing another starting pitcher at this time. While there are a multitude of options on the market, few have any appeal to them.
If New York Yankees fans expected general manager Brian Cashman to stay quiet until Spring Training, they received a response Thursday. The club already acquired James Paxton this offseason, and they signed above-average relievers Adam Ottavino and Zach Britton.
Yet Cashman has not ruled out a last-minute signing for a starting pitcher. Given the current state of the rotation, it’s understandable.
However, the few enticing options available at the start of this winter already don other jerseys. The exception is Dallas Keuchel, but the southpaw’s asking price is likely far too much for what New York is willing to offer – rightfully so.
The Yankees currently boast one of the league’s best one-two punches with Luis Severino and James Paxton. J.A. Happ and Masahiro Tanaka are both well-respected, consistent pitchers, though Tanaka had a forgetful 2017.
Nevertheless, questions center on how long C.C. Sabathia can retain his spot. The 38-year-old has pitched at least 120 innings in all but one of his 18 professional seasons. Yankees fans hope he can continue that impressive trend – without inflated numbers.
Yankees look very solid on paper but are considering adding a starter for depth. Gio, Ervin, maybe Miley among possibilities.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 31, 2019
The biggest concern is injuries. Surely, they take a toll on every team, so Cashman needs insurance for when they occur.
But if New York adds another starting pitcher, it will halt some pitchers’ aspirations to join the rotation. Pitchers like Chance Adams and Domingo German started games last season, although it seems that the organization may be more comfortable with a veteran free agent.
Jordan Montgomery would certainly have a chance to replace any pitcher as the team’s sixth starter. Yet, the southpaw will be out until at least June – likely later – due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Veteran pitchers are readily available. The immediate issue is that most of them are washed-up and mainly acted as inning-eaters for their former teams.
Nonetheless, there are still a few viable options with respectable résumés that Cashman might look into.