New York Yankees: Taking a look at the 2020 projected rotation

New York Yankees, Luis Severino
Oct 3, 2018; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) celebrates after making the last out while bases were loaded during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 American League wild card playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the successes last season, it’s no question that the New York Yankees lacked consistent quality starting pitching. This offseason Brian Cashman and the Yankee front office went to work and brought in the best pitcher in baseball, Gerrit Cole. This addition immediately boosted the New York Yankees’ rotation to be one of their strengths, especially having a healthy Luis Severino too.

The projected rotation for the 2020 season is:

  1. Gerrit Cole
  2. Luis Severino
  3. Masahiro Tanaka
  4. James Paxton
  5. J.A. Happ

These are definitely the five that will be in the rotation to start the season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they get switched around. I could see James Paxton being the number three and switching spots with Tanaka,  but besides that, I think this is we’re going to see this season.

There’s concern about J.A. Happ since he had one of the worst ERAs among starting pitchers last season and had trouble keeping the ball in the park. However, Happ is a veteran and has shown he can get outs in big games throughout his career. Even if Happ doesn’t have a good year again and struggles, help is on the way. Domingo German will be returning about a quarter of the way into the season and Jordan Montgomery could always slide into the fifth spot if needed.

The big three of the rotation are Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino, and James Paxton. Cole obviously had one of the best seasons ever recorded by a pitcher and James Paxton was lights out in the second half of the season. Luis Severino was electric during 2017 and still had a great year during 2018 despite some struggles in the second half of the year.