Yankees target shortstops, but pitching needs shouldn’t be neglected
All postseason the New York Yankees and its fans have been zeroed in on obtaining a new shortstop to replace Gleyber Torres that was permanently moved to second base, and rightly so. It is the team’s most glaring need going into the new season. Unfortunately, we are no closer to that resolution than we were after the World Series was completed.
The Yankees have discussed going big with the acquisition of Carlos Correa or other big-time shortstops that have already gone the way of being hired by other teams before the MLB lockout. They have also discussed a stop-gap measure hiring a lesser star to fill the position for a shorter period while waiting for star prospect Anthony Volpe to develop. But there hasn’t been much talk about filling the pitching hole created when Corey Kluber went to the Tampa Bay Rays in free agency. This pitching need should not be neglected.
The Yankees will start the season with ace Gerrit Cole as their opening day starting pitcher, but beyond that, nothing has been set. The Yankees will hope that Luis Severino will fill in that number two slot, but after not pitching in two years in the majors, no one knows if that will come to fruition. Next is the annually solid Jordan Montgomery. Beyond that, the rotation becomes even murkier. The Yankees have Jameson Taillon, Domingo German, who pitched 98.1 innings this past season, and a few minor leaguers that might see action.
Although some in the front office feel they are in good shape, they might want to reexamine the need for a true number two starter to provide that one-two punch needed in the postseason. Although in a small sample, Nestor Cortes Jr. could have a huge impact if some of the starters fail or have injuries.
Yankees farm system downgraded by the Atlantic
Kenneth Law of the Atlantic Magazine has reported that the Yankee Farm System had been downgraded from #14 to #22 in all of baseball. Law says ” that the position player depth is too thin outside of Anthony Volpe, though there are solid arms who could be future mid-rotation starters.”
Unfortunately for the New York Yankees, all of its’ American League rivals rated better than the Yankees. Law says the Los Angeles Dodgers have the best farm system in baseball. The Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays both ranked in the top five of the heap.
Spring training delayed? Some players report this week
With the lack of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and with the start of spring training scheduled just over a week away, it seems almost definite that spring training will be delayed, barring any miracle move by either side in the negotiations. But that doesn’t mean the ballparks in Tampa will be vacant. Minor leaguers are reported to be returning south as non-roster players are not covered by the players union and can start training. Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe will be two of the players reporting in the next week.
Update on Rodrick Arias signing
The New York Yankees recently signed the number one international prospect in Rodrick Arias. Arias is a phenomenal young infielder with tremendous potential and athleticism On January 15, the first day of international signing, the Yankees reportedly signed Arias for 3.5 million of the Yankees allotted $5.179 million pool. However, Jessy Sanchez of MLB.com has reported that the deal was finally signed at $4 million, however, the New York Yankee front office has not confirmed the amount.