Back in early December, I wrote a piece about how New York Yankees Starting Pitcher, J.A. Happ, was definitely going to be traded. In fact, I said that the trade was inevitable. The Yankees had just signed Gerrit Cole to a record deal and found themselves over the third threshold for the luxury tax. Happ was horrific for most of 2019 and was due to make $17 million in 2020. Assuming everyone was healthy, the Yankees could slide Jordan Montgomery into the fifth spot in the rotation which would leave Happ without a spot. This was the likely scenario as Happ has a vesting option for 2021. No way the Yankees would let that option vest which would force them to pay another $17 million to Happ in 2021. However, one piece of news has come out in recent days which has changed the entire narrative.
Two Key Pieces Missing
James Paxton, who was the Yankees best pitcher down the stretch last season, had to have surgery which will keep him out of action for 3-4 months. Scott Boras, Paxton’s agent, has come out and said that Paxton would likely be back in the first 1/3rd of the season, but his loss will definitely be felt in the Yankees rotation. In addition to Paxton’s injury, Domingo German is suspended for essentially the first half of the season due to his domestic violence incident. With that in mind, only three spots are guaranteed in the Yankees rotation right now: Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino, and Masahiro Tanaka. With the injury and suspension, the proven veteran Happ will now slide into the fourth spot in the rotation. GM Brian Cashman has said a competition will occur for the fifth spot in the rotation with the overwhelming favorite being the returning Jordan Montgomery.
Yankees Options With Happ
So, is Happ here to stay? I’m still not convinced he’s a Yankee once the 2020 season ends. I could see a few scenarios playing out for the Yankees and Happ:
- The Yankees keep Happ for all of 2020 but manipulate his innings/games pitched in the second half of the season to ensure that his option doesn’t vest.
- The Yankees keep Happ for all of 2020, and they let Happ stay in the rotation allowing his option to vest for the 2021 season. However, in this scenario, they would desperately look to move Happ next winter.
- Trade Happ at the trade deadline.
None of these scenarios have J.A Happ playing for the Yankees in 2021. There is no way that Happ will be on this roster after this season. The New York Yankees have Cole and Severino locked in, but they will likely look at bringing back Tanaka or Paxton. In addition to those guys, you have Jordan Montgomery, Domingo German, Clarke Schmidt, Deivi Garcia, Luis Gil and more young guys who are going to be vying for spots. There is no place for a 38-year-old J.A. Happ on the 2021 Yankees. Happ is going to start the season a Yankee, but he might not finish the season with the Yankees. One thing is for sure, if that option vests, he won’t be finishing this current deal wearing pinstripes.