New York Yankees: Three fifteen game-winning pitchers

New York Yankees, Aaron Boone, Gerrit Cole
Dec 18, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, left, and pitcher Gerrit Cole pose for photos during a press conference at Legends Club at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

Back in July, the New York Yankees front office came under a lot of fire for their lack of acquiring a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Luis Severino was hurt, James Paxton was struggling, Masahiro Tanaka was inconsistent, and J.A. Happ was a dumpster fire. It was a frustrating time to be a Yankee fan. On top of that, the biggest competition in the AL, The Houston Astros, went out and acquired Zack Greinke to pair with the top two pitchers in the league, Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander. For many Yankee fans, they could see the October writing on the wall. The Yankees were going to come up short against the Houston Astros and the lack of starting pitching would be a key factor. Sure enough, the Yankees fell short of making it to the World Series and lost to the Houston Astros. After another crushing defeat, Brian Cashman convinced Hal Steinbrenner to open up the checkbook to go out and get arguably the best pitcher in the game, Gerrit Cole. The Yankees signed Cole to a record-breaking 9 year $326 million contracts and the whole outlook on the rotation has changed.

The Yankees should be expecting big things from Cole, but I think the expectations should be high for the top three spots in the Yankee rotation. You read the article title right, I think that the Yankees could/should have three fifteen game-winners this season on their starting staff if everyone remains healthy. Ironically, this article was originally going to feature four fifteen game-winners, but it was announced that James Paxton had to undergo surgery and might not be back until the All-Star break. Considering that, hopefully, there are no additional injuries to the New York Yankees staff as we begin 2020. With that, let’s go through each of those three potential fifteen game-winners I was alluding to.

Gerrit Cole

This is the easiest one to write. There are not even words that I need to say about this one. Gerrit Cole is a monster and I think he is going to be motivated to prove he’s the best pitcher in all of baseball. Better than Justin Verlander and better than fellow New York standout Jacob DeGrom. Cole had a monster in 2019 where he should have won the AL Cy Young. If Cole remains healthy, he can walk to fifteen wins this year.

Luis Severino

To me, this one is going to come down to his health. If you take out his injury-plagued season in 2019, Luis Severino had a combined 33-14 record in the previous two seasons with an ERA sitting just above three. Sevy has the potential to be an ace and now he has none of the pressure. I wrote a while back that Gerrit Cole is Severino’s new secret weapon and I think we are in for a big year from Luis Severino. It wouldn’t shock me to see Luis Severino and Gerrit Cole have the same kind of year that Cole had with Verlander in 2019.

Masahiro Tanaka

Masahiro Tanaka got the ball on opening day last year. He’s gotten the ball on opening day a few times since he joined the Yankees. He also took the ball in Game 1 of the ALCS last year against Houston which saw the Yankees win. Tanaka has been viewed as the most “clutch” when it comes to the pitchers on the Yankees staff in years passed. However, a big flaw with Tanaka is his lack of consistency in the regular season. In the last three seasons, he has a 36-27 record with an ERA over four in the regular season. Yet, at times, he looks absolutely sensational in the postseason. Tanaka is in his walk year and facing the least amount of pressure he has faced since he’s worn the pinstripes not having to be one of the top two guys. Tanaka has never won fifteen games in the regular season, and I believe that will change this year. I think Masahiro Tanaka will flourish in his role in this rotation and be the Yankees third fifteen game-winner of 2020.

Yes, I’m predicting that the New York Yankees top three pitchers will combine for over 45 decision wins in 2020. I believe in the starters, I believe in the offense, and I believe that the best bullpen in baseball will be able to contribute to those victories. Time will tell if I’m right, but if they stay healthy, the Yankees staff is going to be absolutely nasty in 2020.