The New York Yankees entered the offseason seemingly with the hope of adding another starting pitcher. But did they plan on bringing in a frontline starter? Or have they just been aiming to acquire someone who merely eats innings a la Carlos Carrasco?
If Joel Sherman of The New York Post’s recent report is any indication, it’s the latter.
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The Yankees have been tabbed as one of the top potential destinations for Japanese hurler Tatsuya Imai, but Sherman is not convinced New York will spend the money on Imai when it already has three expensive arms in its starting rotation in Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon.
More specifically, Sherman notes that he doesn’t think the Yanks will be netting a fourth high-cost pitcher before Tarik Skubal hits the open market next winter.
I guess that’s kind of a good news, bad news situation for Yankees fans.
On the bright side, this could entail that New York is saving money for Skubal. The bad news is that there is absolutely no guarantee the Yankees will sign Skubal, and if they skimp on top-tier talent this offseason, it could mean another lost year for Aaron Judge and the aging core.
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That’s the problem for the Bronx Bombers: they aren’t a young team.
New York’s window is not that wide, and one of these years, it is going to slam shut with its current group of players.
Judge is 33 and turns 34 years old in April. Giancarlo Stanton is 36. Cole is 35. Fried and Rodon are also in their 30s. If the Yankees re-sign Cody Bellinger, he is also 30.
New York needs to be in win-now mode, which means that if Imai and other top pitchers are available, the Yanks should absolutely pursue them.
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Credit:Â Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images.
Now, the caveat is that the Yankees could technically swing a trade for a lower-cost option like Joe Ryan, Freddy Peralta or MacKenzie Gore, but that would require significant prospect capital. We already know that Brian Cashman has a reputation for being stingy with prospects, so that may not work.
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It’s frustrating because Judge is not going to be great forever. He could honestly fall off at any time, and it’s important to remember that he has an injury history.
The Yankees aren’t operating like the Yankees anymore. They are sitting idly by and watching as other contenders — including teams within their own division — are making moves to improve.
Perhaps Cashman has a trick up his sleeve, but there is no doubt that there is starting to be some cause for concern in the Bronx.