New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that Domingo German is at worst a number two starter recently on the YES Network. Domingo German missed the entire 2020 season due to suspension, but the Yankees are planning on his return in 2021.
Prior to that suspension, German had a very solid 2019 season for the Yankees. In 24 starts and 27 total appearances in 2019, German pitched to a 18-4 record with a 4.03 ERA. German looked like a pitcher who was coming into his own.
However, late in the season, the Yankees were informed of a domestic abuse situation with German. We won’t go into details for this article, but after an investigation, German was suspended for the 2019 postseason and part of 2020.
With the shortened season, German ended up being suspended for the entire season. The Yankees had been planning on getting German back in the rotation for 2021. However, German has not looked promising in the Dominican Winter League.
So far, German has pitched 16.1 innings and allowed 13 runs. That’s good enough for an ERA of 7.16. He’s also allowed 17 hits and 9 walks which translates to a WHIP of almost 1.6 which is absolutely atrocious.
Should the Yankees be concerned?
It’s important to remember that this is Winter League baseball. This is more about German getting back in the rhythm of pitching and getting back on the mound. However, these numbers should alarm the Yankees.
Again, it’s hard to imagine these numbers sticking since German is just now getting back into the swing of things. However, if you’re telling yourself that this guy is your number two starter, there should be an alarm going off.
When on, I really like Domingo German for the Yankees rotation. However, I don’t like him as the number two to Gerrit Cole. If the Yankees go into the season planning on German as the number two, it’s going to be a rough ride.
As of now, the rotation would look something like this: Gerrit Cole, Domingo German, Jordan Montgomery, Deivi Garcia, and Clarke Schmidt. Luis Severino will come back at some point to take a spot in the rotation.
That rotation is not a World Series caliber rotation for the Yankees. The Yankees are currently exploring the trade market for starting pitching options, but the options are limited.
They are not in on Trevor Bauer either because of the price tag and their desire to shed payroll. Domingo German is a better pitcher than he’s showing in the DR right now. However, his start should be alarming to a team that’s planning on him being the number two in a rotation.