{"id":72365,"date":"2024-05-05T08:00:38","date_gmt":"2024-05-05T12:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=72365"},"modified":"2024-05-05T00:49:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-05T04:49:08","slug":"yankees-failed-sign-three-high-value-pitchers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/05\/05\/yankees-failed-sign-three-high-value-pitchers\/","title":{"rendered":"Yankees Failed to Sign Three High-Value Pitchers to the Staff This Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Yankees failed to sign three high-value pitchers this offseason who could have ultimately put them at an incredible advantage. The Yankees did successfully maneuver the offseason market, but definitely could have added some highly effective options to the pitching staff. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Yankees entered the 2024 season with an established starting rotation and competitive bullpen. The pitching staff currently employed is among the strongest in the major leagues, but <\/span>not<\/span>\u00a0nearly as strong as they could\u2019ve been.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yankees Struck Out on Three High-Value Pitchers<\/span><\/h2>\n

As of<\/span> May 4th, The Athletic had the Yankees ranked 11th of 30 teams for starting pitching rotations. They carry a five-man rotation with their ace Gerrit Cole<\/a> <\/span>currently<\/span>\u00a0on the injured list. The Yankees have a crafty handful of lefties in Nestor Cortes<\/a> and Carlos Rodon<\/a>. New York added Marcus Stroman<\/a> to the mix and tossed in Clarke Schmidt<\/a> for a rotational spot along with fifth man<\/a> Luis Gil<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bullpen, on the other hand, is where the current improvements could be made. The Yankees are not listed in the top 10 bullpens in MLB <\/span>with regards to<\/span>\u00a0saves, and most specifically, holds. The standout mentionable bullpen name in the Yankees \u2018pen is righty closer Clay Holmes<\/a>. Holmes has 10 saves and one win in 15 games. Where can New York pad the bullpen reinforcements? Mid-relief and the set-up roles would be a key start, and one other starter to solidify an elite rotation. Ultimately, t<\/span>he Yankees failed to sign these three pitchers who would\u2019ve juiced the back end of the rotation and the bullpen.<\/span><\/p>\n

RHP Jordan Hicks<\/span><\/h4>\n

To push further enforcement in the back end of the relief game, Jordan Hicks<\/a> could have been the man. Hicks competed in the American League East in 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was traded from the National League <\/span>to help a Toronto bullpen in need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His primary role out of the bullpen was split between a set-up role and a closer role when Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano<\/a> was unavailable. Between the two clubs last year, he pitched 65 2\/3 innings with 81 strikeouts, 32 walks, a 3.28 ERA, and a 1.355 WHIP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hicks offers a solid makeup as a pitcher with an effective pitch arsenal and explosive metrics. He has a five-pitch arsenal, starting with a heated four-seam fastball that touches up to 105 mph. He lives around 99-101 mph with good command. Hicks works a sweeper, sinker, and a split-finger. <\/span>All of<\/span>\u00a0these options are fascinating, however the split-finger is his put-away pitch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Jordan Hicks the starter? Or the finisher \ud83e\udd76<\/p>\n

(MLB x @Chevrolet<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/dxLV4whuOC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB (@MLB) May 3, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n