Even if the Yankees and NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell can’t close a large gap in negotiations — word is they remain apart — the team still needs to improve a rotation that looks precariously thin.
With trade targets Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber and even Dylan Cease appearing increasingly less likely to be dealt, the Yankees are running low on choices, too. Snell would make a terrific lefty complement to AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole at the top, but today even the back end and beyond remains a real issue.
The Yankees lost six viable rotation options this winter but seem focused on the pen today. Their signing of longtime Yankee lover and reliable innings-eater Marcus Stroman and re-signing of journeyman Luke Weaver hardly compensates for that loss of a half-dozen arms. The math just doesn’t work.
Overall, the Yankees do look better on paper, and while there’s no regretting the acquisition of lefty-swinging superstar Juan Soto, a terrific complement to the great Aaron Judge, the pitching quartet sent to San Diego — Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez and prospect Drew Thorpe — will be missed. Considering the rising price of starters, the Padres made out as well.
Beyond those losses, the Yankees also saw free agents Luis Severino and Frankie Montas leave. Yankees people seemed surprised to lose Montas — although his $16 million Reds deal doubled what the Yankees initially offered. (Montas told Yankees coaches he’d love to stay.)
Anyway, the Yankees need depth pieces. Word is the Red Sox, Padres, Nationals, Orioles, Mariners and Pirates are most active in the second-tier starting market, which includes Hyun-Jin Ryu, James Paxton and Michael Lorenzen. But there’s no word of real involvement there, and with little traction in talks with the Marlins (who are dangling Jesus Luzardo and Edward Cabrera), the Yankees may need to count on Luis Gil plus kids Clayton Beeter, Will Warren and Chase Hampton.
Following the great Cole for now are three terrific talents with big question marks from 2023 — Nestor Cortes (coming off a shoulder injury), Carlos Rodon (back and elbow) and Stroman (assorted ailments) — plus fifth starter Clarke Schmidt and Weaver. That isn’t enough.