Bleeding Yankee Blue: THE SEVEN FISHES OF PITCHERS

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

THE SEVEN FISHES OF PITCHERS

Source: The Sporting News

Now that we have CC Sabathia under contract for 2018, the Yankees can breathe a slight sigh of relief. Consistency and leadership are two essential components for a Yankee pitching rotation. But both Sabathia and these traits might not be enough to win the championship next season. So, the Yankees may need to catch a big fish among the seven fishes of pitchers who could be shopping for a new team in 2018.

Source: ESPN

According to the NY Daily News, these starting pitchers include Gerrit Cole (Pittsburgh), Chris Archer and Alex Cobb (Tampa Bay), Danny Duffy (Kansas City), Michael Fulmer (Detroit), Patrick Corbin (Arizona) and Jeff Samardzija (San Francisco). If I had my druthers, I would go after Zack Greinke and call it a day. But I will entertain some deep thinking about most of these guys, but not all of them.

Source: NESN

Quite frankly, Gerrit Cole had his chance to be in pinstripes and he gave that opportunity up. "The Yankees originally burned a first-round pick in 2008 (28th overall) on Cole only for him to spurn them for UCLA, but the 28-year-old right-hander since has established himself as a frontline starter over five seasons with the Pirates. Cole has two more years of arbitration eligibility before he will become a free agent after the 2019 season," reported the News. Besides this, Cole has had some elbow inflammation and we all know how that adds anxiety to the team, wondering when he could fall.

Source: NJ.com

Looking at both Archer and Cobb, I would not choose either even though I have always liked the way Archer commands himself on the mound. He has had two tough seasons, but he could rebound. Cobb has had some injuries, but he is still a premiere starter who could demand just a little too much cash and stretch the luxury tax a bit too far.

Source: SI.com

Duffy...in a word, no. DUI charge, Tommy John surgery. We don't need that. Detroit's Michael Fulmer, although 2016 Rookie of Year, might not be worth it either. Chemistry matters and there may be too much bad blood between Detroit and the Yankees after the brawl of 2017. "Of course, Fulmer was the pitcher who drilled Gary Sanchez, leading to a series of brawls between the two teams, in August. He also underwent nerve transposition surgery in his pitching elbow in September, but he's expected to be ready for spring training," reported the News.

Source: The Sporting News

Patrick Corbin is a guy who could be attractive to the Yankees as a ground ball throwing left-hander. Of the bunch so far, I like what he could add but as I said earlier, I would prefer his teammate, Greinke.

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Then there is Jeff Samardzija, who I endorsed for pinstripes a few years ago, when he was available. Today, he would only be welcomed here to the Bronx if he could help us unload a certain former Red Sox centerfielder. "This might have to be the exchange of one terrible contract for another, perhaps if the outfield-hungry Giants would be willing to take on a chunk of Jacoby Ellsbury's albatross deal," reported the News.

So the Yankees have some fishing to do, with the right bait and the right mindset to do so. Of these seven fishes with potential availability, I don't see one I would be willing to take a chance on. Perhaps we need to cast a wider net for a bigger fish, one who can compliment our pitching staff in a way that elevates it to the kind we need to win in October.