Last season while stumbling towards an 82-win season and getting knocked out of the expanded playoff race with a nine-game losing streak in August, the Yankees threw a combined 23,889 pitches while using 30 pitchers not including five appearances in lopsided games by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson.
Gerrit Cole threw a total of 3,281 pitches in 209 innings during the previous season. However, Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes, who were expected to be reliable pitchers alongside Cole, faced some challenges. They combined for 2,201 pitches in 127 2/3 innings due to injuries and inconsistent performances.
As the Super Bowl concludes without the Giants and Jets making an appearance, the Yankees are now gearing up for spring training. They are hopeful that Rodon and Cortes can regain their impressive form from the 2022 season. During that time, the talented left-handed duo won a total of 26 games and pitched for 336 1/3 innings.
However, it is important to note that this hope is not guaranteed. Early projections from baseball reference suggest that both pitchers are expected to win seven games each. Additionally, both pitchers will enter the spring training with a lot to prove. Rodon, in particular, is coming off the first year of a six-year, $162 million deal where he struggled with a 6.85 ERA, which was one of the worst in baseball.
Considering these factors, it becomes evident that the Yankees may need to acquire more starting pitchers, especially after losing Luis Severino to free agency (he joined the Mets). Although it was unlikely for Severino to be retained, his departure emphasizes the need for additional pitching depth. Furthermore, Michael King was part of a blockbuster trade for Juan Soto, further highlighting the importance of bolstering the starting rotation.
The New York Yankees have a few options to consider when it comes to bolstering their pitching staff. One possibility is to explore the free agent market and potentially bring back familiar faces like Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell. They may have already done some research on Snell while discussing trade packages with the San Diego Padres for Soto.
Alternatively, the Yankees could opt for another trade, similar to their recent moves for pitchers such as Sonny Gray, James Paxton, and J.A. Happ. These trades have involved acquiring pitchers with varying lengths of team control or veterans who were re-signed after a half season.
One pitcher who has been mentioned as a potential target is Shane Bieber, the 2020 Cy Young Award winner. Although the Yankees had success against him in the wild-card series, Bieber has an impressive career record and statistics. However, it’s worth noting that he is currently on an expiring contract, and the Cleveland Guardians have a history of trading such pitchers. Notable examples include CC Sabathia in 2008 and Cliff Lee in 2009.
While Bieber is not being discussed as extensively as Dylan Cease from the White Sox or Corbin Burnes from the Brewers, it’s possible that Cleveland may wait until the trade deadline frenzy in July to make any moves.
This time around, things could be different for Bieber. According to Sportrac and MLBtraderumors.com, he is projected to earn a minimum of $12 million in arbitration. The Cleveland team, like some others, is facing financial uncertainty due to their regional television network. This may make them more willing to make a move early.
Bieber is a great option, but he, along with Rodon and Cortes, has had an extensive break from pitching due to injury. He only pitched twice after July 9 because of elbow inflammation. However, he was mostly effective in his 128 innings, finishing with a 3.80 ERA.
If Bieber were to become a Yankee, it would also mean a reunion with pitching coach Matt Blake, who previously served as Cleveland’s assistant director of pitching development.
The Yankees don’t seem to be close to adding another pitcher, especially after missing out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto. It will be interesting to see how they approach this situation. They could add a free agent for the second year in a row, wait and see with Rodon and Cortes, or even trade for Bieber, whose fastball velocity has declined since his Cy Young year.
Until then, the intrigue will continue for the team. Their 3.97 ERA was the highest they’ve had in a full season since 2019, and it’s even higher if you don’t include Cole’s outstanding performance on his way to winning the Cy Young award.
Leave a Reply