3 pitchers the New York Yankees should trade for

JT Brubaker

JT Brubaker is not going to be anyone who generates headlines. In fact, New York Yankees fans may not be a fan of any transaction that results in his coming to the Bronx.

One can understand why. Brubaker did not have a great 2021 season, posting a 5.36 ERA and a 1.295 WHiP in his 124.1 innings, striking out 129 batters with 38 walks. While he displayed impressive command and struck out more than a batter an inning, that ERA is more than enough to give anyone pause.

But it is also misleading. Brubaker had a 3.82 ERA and a 1.133 WHiP in his 77.2 innings through the end of June, striking out 75 batters with 13 walks. He clearly wore down afterwards, as he posted a 7.91 ERA and a 1.564 WHiP in his final 46.2 innings, striking out 51 batters with 21 walks. As he pitched just 47.1 innings in 2020, it is not a surprise that he would have struggled in the second half of the season.

This makes him a possible bargain for interested teams. Brubaker could be much closer to his first half as he gets used to those innings and learns how to be more economical with his pitch counts. The Yankees could get him at a bargain and have a solid middle of the rotation arm for years to come.

JT Brubaker may not be the type of arm that generates headlines. However, he could be someone that makes an unexpected difference.