Starting Pitching

The beginning of this exercise is easy.

Gerritt Cole gets to remain our ace.  He, regularly, in the highest level of competition the Yankees achieved, gave us 6 innings and 2-3 runs.  He was lights out until the requisite ( surprise ) two run homer departed the stadium.  One mistake pitch amongst 95 deliveries.  

A $300 million value for sure. 

Oh well.  If we could score and defend, we could win.  We couldn't.  So we didn't. 

Now we get into trouble:

Happ and Paxton are likely gone from the scene.  Too much money for too little contribution.  And they are old as silver dollars.

Tanaka will, in this analysts' opinion, remain a Yankee.  

A good number 4 or 5 starter. Alternatively, a " designated starter."  We won't give him the contract of Gerritt Cole, but any of us would be more than pleased to receive what Hal deposits in his bank account.

For having fun. And working ( having fun ) every 5 or 6 days.  For an hour or two. 

Jordan Montgomery will also vie for a starting slot. 

If there is a spring training in 2021, approaching any degree of normalcy ......actually, a doubtful proposition.....I think Jordan will be 100% back from his TJ surgery.  Because he is a lefty, he goes straight to the head of the line for those seeking work. 

He is a good number 4 or 5 starter.  Particularly for a team with a low ceiling.

Severino is not going to be viable most of the year. 

We should consider him for 2022 when he will be 30 and a free agent.  For next year, maybe he gets to throw a few inconsequential innings during September.  Most of our games will be inconsequential by then. 

But it is fanciful thinking, and a mistake, to "hope" or plan that he will be part of a dynamite starting Yankee rotation this coming year.  He'll still be tossing a sponge ball in late July.

Does anyone really believe Domingo will be allowed back ?

Supposedly, this mystery man has paid for his indiscretion to MLB.  He lost three seasons.  Now, I'll be surprised if he is allowed back in the USA.

 Nonetheless, he hasn't pitched since high school. This once dominating starter will have to "wow" people, just as Urshela did, to earn a spot out of training camp. 

They will toy with him as a long reliever, before trusting him to anything else. And he will not be allowed to attend team or MLB sponsored events in public. 

Don't pencil him in as a starter.  Not until he forces the issue ( I probably should not say that.). He is a true " wild card."

Deivi Garcia will remain our top rated prospect.

He will still be referred to as the Yankee's  "top prospect," because every team needs someone they can so designate.   And our real " top prospects" are all 16-17 years old and don't speak english. 

It is clear that Cashman, Hal and Boone do not trust Deivi..." top prospect" designation notwithstanding. 

Worse, Garcia is aware that all the praise and confidence they appeared to bestow upon him was a lie.  Last season's bungle will live on forever. 

 I think he is too small and un-intimidating to be what Pedro Martinez says about him ( ie " that he is really going to be great .").  My worry is that Pedro's heart has overtaken his objectivity. 

The Yankees will pencil him  in as a starter, because they are trying to cover up their blunder from last season.  They want us to believe that they really do have faith in this guy.

But it is a lie.  Time will tell. 

As for the rest:

I will tell you right now to forget King.  Not to say that he won't ever start a game, but we are not talking about a guy who will give you 7 innings and 1-2 runs on a regular basis.  King can compete for a spot in the BP.  Face three batters and maybe do it well, if he can throw strikes.  A big " If." 

But King is a "once through the line-up" guy right now. 

Schmidt will be thrown into that pack of pitchers who can compete for work.  He has some ' stuff," but it is a long way from the magic needed in meaningful playoff games.  It would be a pleasant surprise to see him blossom.  And a highly unlikely one. 

So we don't have much.  Which means that we still...again...have to trade for ...or break the bank for...starting pitching.  I say we need two, but we'll be lucky to get one.  And there are no guarantees out there. 

Developing quality arms is not a Yankee strength.  But we won't really need them for the wild card round.