As the Yankees are currently constructed I don't think they need to do anything else in order to enter the 2018 season as World Series championship contenders.
The starting rotation consists of five good pitchers...
1. Luis Severino finished third in the American League Cy Young voting last year, showing that he's at worst a good starter, and at best he's one of the top hurlers in the league.
2. Masahiro Tanaka is coming off his worst season, however he still won 13 games and actually had a sub-4.00 ERA since the beginning of August.
3. Sonny Gray bounced back from an injury-riddled 2016 to have a very good 2017 season (now if only we can give him some run support...geesh!).
4. Jordan Montgomery finished 6th in AL Rookie of the Year voting, and despite only winning nine games I only see two or three in which the Yankees didn't have a chance to win the game when he was removed.
5. CC Sabathia's career has been rejuvenated since the middle of the 2015 season, when he finally learned that he's no longer a power pitcher and transitioned into a smarter pitcher.
And the starting position players look great as well...
Catcher - Gary Sanchez
First Base - Greg Bird
Second Base - ???
Shortstop - Didi Gregorius
Third Base - ???
Left Field - Aaron Judge*
Center Field - Aaron Hicks
Right Field - Brett Gardner
Designated Hitter - Giancarlo Stanton*
* - I believe Judge and Stanton will share regular DH duties, and every once in a while start at the same time in the corner OF positions.
Now, yes, the Yankees need to figure out what to do at second and third base. However, they don't have to go outside the organization in order to fill those spots.
Second base can be handled by Ronald Torreyes until Gleyber Torres, inevitably, takes over there (my guess is Gleyber is called up by June).
And after debuting in the Majors last season, albeit briefly, Miguel Andujar could very well be the team's starting third baseman on Opening Day.
So for those of you out there that are the least bit upset that Brian Cashman hasn't pulled off a trade for somebody like Gerrit Cole or Michael Fulmer, you can relax. Nothing needs to be done, so making a move that isn't an obvious win for the Yankees here is unnecessary. And face it... it's still early in the offseason, and there are a ton of free agent options available.
I don't mean to ignore what I've said about trading Clint Frazier, because I still believe Frazier is expendable to New York. But I don't want Cashman to make a deal involving Clint unless it's a clear win for the Yankees.
For a while I've felt that the Yankees should bring in somebody like Todd Frazier to start at third base, as well as backup first base. However, Tyler Austin can help should Greg Bird get hurt or simply need a day off here and there.
The big issue I see in signing somebody like Todd Frazier is the length of the deal. The Yankees would be better off only signing a guy for one year, but it'll be hard to get somebody good on just a one year deal. But keep in mind that if they got a "so-so" third baseman, and he didn't work out, the Yankees could just start Andujar there instead.
At that point Miguel would get more MLB experience, thus making him a hotter commodity as trade bait in the offseason, because at that point I see the Yankees going hard after Manny Machado.
By the way... pass on Bryce Harper. As great as he is, I see no point in having another huge contract on the books. Giancarlo may not opt-out, and Machado would be better suited for the Yankees due to what they need.
Besides, if the Yankees are going to add another big contract to the books next offseason, I'd like it to be for a starter such as Clayton Kershaw (should he actually leave the Dodgers), Dallas Keuchel, or Patrick Corbin.
*takes a deep breath*
I'm not used to just throwing a bunch of quick thoughts out there. However, I'm sure it's a nice break for you readers who are used to me being a bit long-winded.
Bryan...you are writing about as I have, with the pitching! We don't NEED a pitcher...we Want one! A big difference.
ReplyDeleteAnd the starting position players.....
Catcher - Gary Sanchez
First Base - Greg Bird
Second Base -Torreyes
Shortstop - Didi Gregorius
Third Base - Miguel Andujar
Right Field - Aaron Judge/Giancarlo Stanton
Center Field - Aaron Hicks
Left Field - Brett Gardner
Designated Hitter - Giancarlo Stanton/Aaron Judge
May/June- Gleyber Torres takes over at 2nd Base
Clint Frazier takes over Left or Center (IF Brett gets traded)
Too long, didn't read
ReplyDelete;)
That's ok Daniel. Didn't have anything else to do anyhow. Just the ramblings of an old guy that don't no nuttin anywho!
DeleteI read them both, I just said that because at the end of the article Bryan mentioned how he is normally so long-winded and this was considered short for him. Sarcasm :)
DeleteI say better option is Corbin and Drury inn Arizona. Will be cheaper in prospect cost.
ReplyDeleteBut I would rather have Todd Frazier and Geritt Cole but it's coming down to over cost in prospects and money.