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New York Yankees: 3 starters team could trade for

By Edward Lennon |
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Pitcher Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets stands off the mound as Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies circles second base on his three-run home run in the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Pitcher Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets stands off the mound as Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies circles second base on his three-run home run in the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Facing a lot of adversity this Spring, here are three starters the New York Yankees could target via trade during the 2020 season.

After signing Gerrit Cole in December, the New York Yankees were expected to have one of the strongest starting rotations in baseball.

However, that’s not the case at the moment.

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Domingo German is suspended. James Paxton is out three to four months with a back injury. Luis Severino is out for the season after requiring Tommy John Surgery.

One of their biggest perceived strengths is developing into a weakness. The Yankees currently only have four starters: Cole, Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ, and Jordan Montgomery.

New York may look to make their fifth starter an internal option. They could call someone up from the minors, or perhaps use Chad Green as an opener again like they did in 2019.

The Yankees could look to add a fifth starter via trade. There is a heavy potential that the Yankees make a move to fill out their rotation. They have made big trades in the past, the last being for James Paxton. The evil empire is not afraid to give up minor leaguers to acquire a big-name starting pitcher.

It is not guaranteed that the Yankees trade for a starting pitcher. But if they do, here are three possible starters that could be wearing pinstripes by the end of the season.

New York Yankees,
New York Yankees, /

New York Yankees: 3 starters team could trade for

Steven Matz

This does not seem like it would actually happen, but the Yankees have called the New York Mets to see what the price would be for lefty Steven Matz.

The Yankees could use an affective lefty like Matz. Sabathia is retired. Paxton is hurt. Happ is looking to have a bounce-back season and Montgomery is recovering from Tommy John Surgery.

Matz was not a dominant pitcher in 2019, but he was effective. The 28-year-old went 11-10 with a 4.21 ERA. He struck out 153 batters over 160.1 innings. He has career highs in wins, IP and strikeouts. He posted his first complete game last season as well.

The Yankees have an interest in the lefty, but the Mets are going to have to be overwhelmed by their offer to let go of Matz. He is currently their only lefty in their rotation. They are not looking to only have righties in their rotation this season.

Matz is not a free agent until after the 2021 season He is making $5 million this season and is up for his final year of arbitration after this season.

Financially, this is doable for the Yankees, but they would need to give up a lot to take Matz away from the Mets.

New York Yankees: 3 starters team could trade for

Jon Gray

Another potential target for the Yankees is right-hander Jon Gray on the Colorado Rockies.

Like Matz, Gray is under contract until 2022. They are both 28.

However, trading Gray is more realistic than trading Matz because the Mets are going to be more competitive than the Rockies in 2020.

The hard-throwing righty is a former top prospect and is coming off the best season of his career. In 25 starts, Gray went 11-8 with a 3.84 ERA. He lowered his homers allowed as well.

Colorado is rebuilding, but if they fall out of contention early;  a trade for Gray could be realistic. Gray would be a smart guy to go after because of his control.

Tanaka is a free agent after this season, same with Paxton. Gray would be a nice compliment to Gerrit Cole moving forward for the Yankees.

Gray has a sharp fastball and a dominant slider.

There are a lot of former Rockies on the Yankees, including DJ LeMahieu, Adam Ottavino, Chris Iannetta and others. All of Gray’s former teammates have raved about him and would be happy to have him as a teammate during the 2020 season.

Gray has many fans in the Yankees’ clubhouse and would be a great fifth starter for New York.

Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images.
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images. /

New York Yankees: 3 starters team could trade for

Robbie Ray

There have been rumors that the New York Yankees would trade for Robbie Ray for the past few seasons.

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As Ray approaches free agency after this season, this could finally be the year the Yankees make the deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and acquire Ray.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are going to be unwilling to trade Ray until they are out of playoff contention. They traded for Gold Glove center fielder Starling Marte and signed Madison Bumgarner long-term. They are looking to compete this year, but it may not be that easy.

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The Dodgers have the division locked up basically. Since the National League Wild Card is a beyond competitive race, it is going to be a challenge for the Diamondbacks to make it back to the postseason.

Towards the end of July, if Arizona feels that they are not going to make the playoffs, they should trade Ray, since he will most likely walk for a massive deal after the 2020 season.

The 28-year-old is coming off of a shaky season but still struck out 235 batters over 174.1 innings.

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Ray might cost a lot, but he would be an effective starter for the Yankees. He would add a lot of depth to their rotation and give them a better shot at making it back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.

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