The New York Yankees might not be actively in search of a starting pitcher to supplement the loss of CC Sabathia, especially with Michael King and Deivi Garcia waiting in the wings. Still, the thought of bringing in a top arm is undoubtedly enticing.
General manager Brian Cashman could have three fantastic options to choose from if he elects to add a premium starter, which would make his rotation one of the most intimidating in major league baseball. To start, he has a potential Cy Young Award winner that finished the 2019 season 20-5 with an AL-best 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts. His name would be Gerrit Cole, who’s primed to smash the record for the biggest contract for a starting pitcher.
Cole is in line to earn upwards of $30 million per season ($200 million total). The Yankees can afford Gerrit, despite the luxury tax threshold, but their monetary investment might be better allocated in different areas. A cheaper pitcher could be more attractive, which is where former Met, Zack Wheeler, comes into play.
Wheeler will be “cheap” by no means, but he will land a bit lower than Cole on the market. He’s a safe fallback option that is just 29-years-old, similar to Cole, and set career highs in innings pitched (195.1) and strikeouts (195) in 2019. He’s a strong-arm pitcher with a deadly fastball — right down the Yankees’ alley-way. However, Wheeler has the opportunity to sign the Mets’ $17.8 million qualifying offer, but he’s expected to reject considering the pay-day that could be headed his way.
Opening the Bombers’ wallet will be the question Cashman has to face, as he’s been stingy in recent seasons in regards to pitching. He passed on Patrick Corbin last year, a move that could have paid dividends in the postseason, and failed to reel in Zack Greinke at the July 31 trade deadline.
This is a look at what the New York Yankees starting rotation ‘could’ look like given they signed Wheeler:
1.) Luis Severino
2.) Zack Wheeler
3.) James Paxton
4.) Masahiro Tanaka
5.) J.A. Happ
6.) Domingo German
7.) Jordan Montgomery
8.) Michael King/Deivi Garcia
Given the number of pitchers they have, it makes sense to pass on a big-named arm, but with injuries being a severe problem last season, being safe should be a priority.