Yankees Search for Pitching
The New York Yankees are searching for pitching. They are coming off a historic week where they gave up 71 runs in seven games. Amazingly, the Yankees still went 3-4, but that’s more of a testament of their powerful lineup. It’s clear the Yankees are looking for pitching help down the stretch.
Week of Worry
The Yankee starting pitching was battered around with historic numbers. In 28 innings pitched, the ERA was over 15.00. The Yankees starters gave up 18 HR and allowed 55 hits — as bad a week a starting rotation will ever have.
While this is certainly not a normal occurrence for this team, it does indicate that an upgrade would be welcome. Ace pitcher Luis Severino is still on the injured list. Severino has not pitched this season, and once again, his return date has been pushed back, this time into September. CC Sabathia is on the injured list again with a return date of August 11th.
State of Panic
The Yankees are currently in first place in the American League East. With a 67-38 record and a comfortable eight and a half-game lead over the second-place Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees are not a state of panic right now.
However, the performance of the pitching staff this past week could ultimately force the Yankees to make a move. As usual, the Yankees have pieces that other teams want. Historically, General Manager Brian Cashman has been reluctant to part with top prospects, even if it gets back top pitchers. This might be the season Cashman takes a chance.
Bullpen Concerns
Another concern is the wear on the bullpen. The Yankees have heavily relied on four relievers. Adam Ottavino has appeared in 50 games, Aroldis Chapman 43, Zack Britton 46, and Tommy Kahnle 49. They have combined to pitch in 172 innings.
Dellin Betances, who is a big part of this bullpen, has not pitched this season, and, like Severino, his return date keeps getting pushed back.
Yankees Trade Market for Pitching
The Yankees always add pieces at the trading deadline, and this season will probably be no different. They can easily slug their way through the playoffs, but the potential playoff matchups with teams like the Houston Astros or the Los Angeles Dodgers can cause concern. The Yankees might not have the starting pitchers to match up against pitchers like Justin Verlander or Clayton Kershaw.
The starting pitching market is light this trading season. With so many teams still competing for a wild card spot, those pitchers are not available. Still, no one knows who can be available for the right price.
Off the Market
The San Francisco Giants recent stretch has taken Madison Bumgarner off the market. Bumgarner was potentially one of the jewels of the trading deadline.
The cross-town New York Mets now have three starting pitchers and one reliever who are all in trade rumors. Starting pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and the newly acquired Marcus Stroman, along with closer Edwin Diaz, are at least being discussed in trades.
The Mets and the Yankees don’t usually make trades with each other. The Yankees would most likely have to overpay in any trade scenario with the Mets. No one is really sure about what the Mets are doing anyway.
Same Old Names
The secondary market still has some of the same names we have heard about the last few weeks. Mike Minor from the Texas Rangers is available. Matthew Boyd of the Detroit Tigers might be, and Robbie Ray from the Arizona Diamondbacks might be as well. All are solid starting pitchers but not the pitcher the Yankees covet.
Relief pitchers like Ian Kennedy from the Kansas City Royals and Ken Giles from the Blue Jays are also possible. However, Giles’ shoulder injury might have taken him off the market.
One name to watch is starting pitcher Trevor Bauer of the Cleveland Indians. The Indians have a three-game lead in the American League Wild Card race, so it doesn’t make sense for Bauer to be available. Starting pitcher Tanner Roark of the Cincinnati Reds, a solid but not spectacular pitcher who will eat innings, is another name being discussed.
Shane Greene of the Tigers is another relief pitcher who is available. The former Yankee can lessen the workload in the bullpen. Relief pitcher Archie Bradley of the Diamondbacks, a sturdy pitcher the last few seasons, is another name on the radar, as is Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez. Vazquez has been reliable for a bad Pirates team. Not only can he help this season, but he could also provide insurance in case Chapman opts out of his contract at the end of the season.
There are pitchers who can certainly help the Yankees down the stretch. If anything just to lessen the workloads of the rest of the pitching staff. While these pitchers are not that front line impact player the Yankees covet. The trade deadline is July 31st. The ball is in Cashman’s court to make a move.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
