3.) Mike Clevinger
Another expensive acquisition would be Mike Clevinger. After being sent down to the minors due to COVID-19 protocol breakage, a potential trade has been in the works for days now. As one of the best starters in the league, he would help supplement the loss of James Paxton in the short term.
Two teams who have been involved in the Mike Clevinger sweepstakes say they're now out, but when pressed, say they simply won't raise their last offer. The leading candidates to land him: #Padres, #WhiteSox, #BlueJays, #Yankees.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 31, 2020
In addition, the Yankees are set to lose Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, and JA Happ at the end of this year. If they acquire Clevenger, they would have a fantastic 1-2 punch with Gerrit Cole as the number one.
Gaining back Luis Severino in 2021, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, the Yankees would have a fantastic starting rotation. They can also begin to rely more on Deivi Garcia and some of the younger arms who have shown potential and promise so far. During the 2020 season, Clevinger has a 3.18 ERA over 22.2 innings pitched. He has allowed five homers and 11 walks but has struck out 21 batters. Last year, he was one of the best starters in the league, posting a 2.71 ERA and striking out 169 batters over 126.0 innings.
Clevinger is a luxury and would be costly for the Yankees, but pitching wins championships, and without a premium second starter, the Yankees are in trouble.