After an abbreviated 2020 season, the Yankees have a very important offseason coming up. A huge focus will be on their starting rotation. There are many question that still need to be answered this offseason. The Yankees have to decide if they are bringing back, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, or J.A. Happ. They may also go after some new pitchers in free agency. It is an offseason with many questions the Yankees need to answer about this starting rotation.
Luis Severin Will Return
In February the Yankees received devastating news that star pitcher Luis Severino needed Tommy John surgery which ended his season. Once he finishes his full rehab, he is expected to return in late June or early July. When he returns, it may take him time to regain his old form. However, once he does, he will most likely move into the number two spot in the rotation being Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Severino has been a dominant force for the Yankees throughout his career going 42-26 with a 3.46 ERA. In 99 games. He has 689 strikeouts and has only given up 204 earned runs in 530.0 innings pitched. It is safe to say when Luis Severino returns they will be expecting big things from him.
Domingo Germa Might Return
Domingo German was coming off of a strong 2019 season expecting big things in 2020. That was not the case as German was suspended 81 games for domestic violence. MLB announced that when the shortened season began he still had 63 games left on his suspension which ended his 2020 season. He will serve the final three games on Opening Weekend against the Toronto Blue Jays before being activated April 5th against the Baltimore Orioles.
The decision the Yankees need to make this offseason is if they will keep German. The Yankees have not decided if they will keep him because of the severity of the domestic violence situation. This all comes after a 2019 season where he pitched well and made a name for himself. In 2019 German pitched in 27 games going 18-4 with a 4.03 ERA. In 143.0 innings pitched he gave up 64 earned runs and 30 home runs. He also had 153 strikeouts. It is an situation because Domingo German can be a great pitcher but the suspension may ruin his career and the Yankees would be losing an outstanding pitcher. Only time will tell on if the Yankees decide to keep Domingo German or not.
JA Happ’s Option Declined
Happ’s 2021 option was declined by the Yankees. The aging veteran had an up and down few years with the Yankees. In 2018, Happ became a Yankee mid-season and he dominated going 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA and 63 strikeouts. In 2019, JA Happ was not the same pitcher as he struggled all season. He went 12-8 with a 4.91 ERA. In 2020, he improved going 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA but still wasn’t his best stuff. In the end it is unlikely Happ will return to the Yankees for his 15th MLB season.
A Tanaka Return Is Still Possible
Tanaka has not disappointed since joining the Yankees in 2014, but now a tough decision needs to be made. The Yankees did not extend a qualifying offer to Tanaka, and now they need to decide whether they will offer him any contract. This comes after a strong 2020 season going 3-3 with a 3.56 ERA in ten games. Tanaka has shown that he wants to stay in New York, but now the Yankees need to decide if they want extend any contract offer to keep him in their rotation.
James Paxton May Have Pitched His Final Game in Pinstripes
2020 was a highly disappointing year for James Paxton. In five games, Paxton was 1-1 with a 6.64 ERA before his season ended early with a forearm flexor strain. This now leads to if the Yankees should bring him back. It will be a tough decision because Paxton struggled with the Yankees. In 34 games, Paxton was 16-7 with a 4.16 ERA. The Yankees are in a tough spot because injuries have plagued James Paxton over the years and it will be interesting to see if he makes a return to the Bronx.
There are many possibilities heading into this offseason
It will be an offseason where the Yankees have many tough decisions. Now the Yankees know Gerrit Cole came as advertised. After bursting onto the scene, Deivi Garcia will be a rotation option alongside Jordan Montgomery. With Luis Severino also returning next season it is very tough to predict what happens with the rotation. All of this will lead to a very interesting offseason for the Yankees rotation.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
