Offseason Predictions: Starting Pitching Edition

These are not the Yankees of old. They are not going to spend 300 million dollars this winter on

Cole, Strasburg,and Rendon. Though signing these three guys would probably put the Yankees “over the edge” and bring them their first world series in 11 years, it is not smart for the future. They would end up with obsolete players in their late thirties who don’t even play anymore (Ellsbury, end of a-rod, etc). The way to build a winning team has changed since George was in charge. Bringing up young breakout stars and trading for high ceiling, young, and controllable players from other teams is the new strategy. The Yankees have had a very seamless youth movement. The Baby Bombers have taken over, during the regular season at least. These Baby Bombers will eventually hit arbitration and free agency and the Yankees, even with their big wallet, won’t be able to retain them all. Keeping a balance of veterans and young controllable players is how teams have recently won the world series. This brings us back to this offseason. I already outlined who I would target on the offense trade market. So this brings us now to the pitching side of things.

Through a lot of thought and consideration, I have just about came to a conclusion for my predictions for the Yankees this winter on the pitching side. The Yankees have needed another ace for the last couple years and this would have supposedly made the difference. The Yankees missed on Verlander, Scherzer, Corbin, and trading for Cole, and this is why the Astros and Nationals have a world series win and the Yankees don’t. I don’t believe in saying the Yankees would’ve won the world series with one other guy because there are a lot of other variables that have to be factored in. If the best team on paper always won, then games wouldn’t be played. The Astros would’ve just been handed the world series title. There too much chance and other factors to really predict baseball and that's what's great about it. So all of you guys out there who think the Yankees will sign Cole, don’t get your hopes up. If the Yankees do wind up signing Cole, I would not be disappointed though. I would give it about a 25-30% chance of happening. Who knows, maybe "Ninja Cash" will swoop in last second and strike a deal with Gerrit. Anyways, here's my big predictions. "Expert prediction" if you insist.

This offseason I think the Yankees will sign Zack Wheeler and trade for Robbie Ray.

Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler hasn’t exactly had a great career so far, but he looks like a breakout candidate. A lot

of analysts have compared his stuff to Cole, though the naked eye doesn't really show that. He has good velocity, spin rate and low exit velocity. Hopefully the Yankees sign a pitching coach who can help him reach his full potential. Maybe a change of scenery is what he needs. He has the talent, maybe he just needs a change of mindset, maybe a winning mindset. Something he can’t get with the Mets. The Yankees had a lot of interest in him around the trade deadline, but trades between the Mets and Yankees never really come into fruition. He has been roughed up a bunch in his career so he won't be as expensive as a Cole but talent evaluators say he has a lot of talent so he will get a good amount of money. He isn't quite the true ace that the Yankees have supposedly been trying to get but he does bring a good amount of potential to the table.

Prediction:

Wheeler signs with the Yankees for 4 years and $76 Million

Robbie Ray

The Yankees have always been a big fan of Robbie Ray and so have I. He has good velo and good

offspeed pitches. He is another pitcher who hasn’t quite reached his potential yet. The Yankees have

had a lot of interest in him last offseason and near the trade deadline this past season. I think it has

been a matter of the Dbacks thinking they are in postseason contention but they really are not. Don't

let me get into a whole debate about the 2nd wild card messing up the balance of the league and

making for less trade deadline deals because no teams think they are sellers because they think

they can sneak into the second wild card spot. Anyways, Robbie Ray has high strikeouts and plus

stuff he just lacks control sometimes and if the Yankees new pitching coach can help him reach his

potential he could be one of the top starting pitchers in the game. These two moves are going to be

really impacted by whoever the Yankees decide to make their new pitching coach because these are

two potential really good pitchers if the right person is their coach. No pressure Yankees, but you better make the right decision.

Mock Trade:

Yankees Get:

Robbie Ray

Dbacks Get:

Michael King

Albert Abreu

Clarke Schmidt

If you have predictions for who you think the Yankees will get this offseason, let me know who in the comment section below. 

Yankees finish the 1st half 6.5 games up on Tampa

Yankees split a 4-Game Series with the Rays. They still have a comfortable lead at 6.5 games. Yankees offense hasn’t really done anything the past 2 days. James Paxton gave the Yankees a quality start going 6 innings striking out 11. The lone run came off of Gardner’s solo shot.



Yankees have had an incredible 1st half to the season. With all the injuries taken place this year, it’s incredible that the Yankees are in 1st place & by a good lead. Injuries include Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, Clint Frazier, Troy Tulowitzki, Miguel Andujar, Greg Bird & the list goes on. Yankees had an All-Star team of players on the Injured list in 2019. Yankees did acquire OF Cameron Maybin, who has done an excellent job since being acquired. Although, he went on the IL.

As the trading deadline looms, the obvious need is starting pitching. Potential targets include: Tigers’ Matthew Boyd, Indians’ Trevor Bauer, San Francisco Giants’ Madison Bumgarner, BlueJays’ Marcus Stroman, Mets’ Zack Wheeler etc. A few of these options are unlikely to happen but never rule out any trades. Yankees may also look at bullpen help as the situation with Dellin Betances is unknown. There should be a abundant of relievers made available as teams signal they’re out of contention.

It’s been a great 1st half & there’s a lot to look forward to in the 2nd half. Yankees will continue to

 look to acquire pitcher(s) & continue their quest to win a World Series in 2019.  

                                         Credit (New York Yankees official Twitter) 

Yankees back in 1st place

Yankees won their 2nd series against the Rays in 1 week. They take 2 out of 3 games & have moved back into 1st place an 0.5 game up on Tampa. It was a great series & a lot of fun to watch!

Yankees went with the opener today & Chad Green started it off. He went 1 inning but gave up 2 runs along with 2 strikeouts. Yankees then turned to Cortes Jr, he went 4 innings giving up a big 3 run-shot. He settled down striking out 6 with 2 walks. Adam Ottavino & Chance Adams both combined for 3 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts. Big confidence builder for Adams throwing those scoreless innings, as he looks to re-gain his stock.

Yankees offense broke out in the 6th inning scoring 7 runs in that inning. DJ LeMahieu keeps hitting with 3 hits one being a solo shot. Gardner also had 3 hits one bring a solo shot as well. Offense scored 13 runs on 12 hits today. Estrada had a huge pinch-hit bases clearing double.

It was a fun series as the Yankees look to stay in 1st place as the go to Baltimore to face the Orioles in a 4-game set. Since April 16th, the Yankees are 22-8, best in all of baseball. Yankees have J.A Happ going tomorrow as he looks to find his way to get back to the pitcher he was last year when he was acquired by New York.

      

Photo credit: (NY Post/Dan Martin)

Yankees interested in Dallas Keuchel

 

                                                              Photo credit: (New York Post)

Jon Heyman reporting Yankees will be interested in starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel once his draft pick comp drops after this years draft. As we know Severino is likely out until the second of the season. Although the Yankees might have another starter return soon in Jordon Montgomery who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Draft is June 4th so it’s not far away, Yankees do have to make a decision soon. As June nears teams start selling as the new deadline is in place. It'd be interesting what type of contract the Yankees offer, 1 year or a multi-year deal. Another idea is just to trade for a starter or just continue to stay with German in the rotation who has been great. 

Keuchel provides depth, veteran-ship & innings to the Yankees. Since 2015 his CY year, he’s averaged 200 innings & has a ERA of 3.41 over the past 4 seasons. He’s a ground ball pitcher which is great for the Yankees.  His ground ball rate in 2018 was 53.7%. Interested to see if anything develops between the Yankees & Dallas Kuechel.

Big Maple domination

                                                (Photo credit: New York Yankees official Twitter)


It was a great outing by Paxton tonight. Going 8 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts & 1 walk. Huge confidence builder after his first 2 starts weren’t ones to remember. Paxton becomes the first Yankees’ pitcher with 12+ strikeouts & 2 hits or less vs Boston at home. Paxton can now build on this  start, it was one to remember.


Chris Sale continues his struggles for the 2019 season. He did go 5 innings but gave up 4 earned runs to the Yankees lineup. Yankees took advantage with 3 homeruns by Frazier, Tauchman & Frazier. Tauchman had a break out game with 2 hits & 4 RBI’s. Urshela had an insane defensive play, throwing from his knees to nail Betts.


It was a great game for the Yankees winning 8-0 over Boston. Confidence for the Yankees as they look to win the Series tomorrow. J.A Happ pitching tomorrow, he’s looking to find it as he’s had rough starts to the season.

Yankees complete their 1st sweep of the 2019 season

Yankees offense exploded putting out 15 runs today. Gary Sanchez & Clint Frazier both homered multiple times today. Sanchez had 3 & Frazier had 2. Sanchez’s first career 3 homerun game and now leads MLB in homeruns with Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger with 6 . Frazier went 4 for 4 today. Torres continues to rake against the Orioles with 2 hits 1 being a homerun.


Yankees starter German pitched great today. He went 6 innings while just giving up 2 runs and 3 strikeouts also. Tarpley & Cessa came in both to close the game out. Great pitching by the Yankees today.

Yankees look to continue their winning streak has they head to Houston. Tanaka, Loaisiga & Paxton are the starters for the Yankees as each looks to build on their starts and the teams momentum.

Yankees succeeded in a must needed win in Baltimore

                                                       (Photo credit: George King III/NY Post)

 
Yankees go on a 6-game road trip, first stop Baltimore. As the team struggled during its opening week at home just winning 2 of its first 6 games. It was time to start this road trip on a good note and get a win against the Baltimore Orioles.

(Photo Credit: YES Network/Twitter)

Paxton struggled in the 1st inning giving up 3 runs. He eventually settled down going 5.1 IP with 9 satrikeouts and giving up 4 earned runs in total. Yankees bullpen then took over with Kahnle, Britton & Chapman to close it.

Yankees offense did show up today, blasting 4 homeruns. Torres took charge of the day going 4-4 with 2 homeruns, which is his 3rd career multi-homerun game. Sanchez connected with his 3rd homerun of the season. Voit now has 8 hits at Camden Yards with 4 of them being homeruns as he blasts a 3-run shot in the 9th to had insurance runs.