CASHMAN HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO

Source: NY Daily News

James Paxton, CC Sabathia and Domingo German, oh my.  A few difficult starts and the Yankees reveal just one week short of the start of August that pitching is most definitely their strength and their Achilles Heel.  It goes without saying that Brian Cashman has a lot of work to do to ensure that the Yankees are well equipped for a post season run with a positive outcome.

"A popular question throughout the industry regarding the Yankees’ rotation is “Who starts Game 1?” of a playoff series. The answer currently isn’t unanimous, and if the Indians don’t deal Trevor Bauer and the Giants hold onto Madison Bumgarner, a unanimous answer won’t be walking into the Yankees’ clubhouse. And don’t count out the Yankees using a reliever to start a postseason game," reported The New York Post.

Source: AP

The Yankee bats are certainly the high point this season, keeping the games close even when the pitching fails.  Cashman is not one to react quickly to concerns with his team, so he certainly will be choosy when it comes to who will be the next Yankee starter.

"Panic has never been a trait of Cashman’s. He listens to his scouts, advisers and the analytical arm of the front office and decides what’s best and at what cost. The industry consensus is that the Yankees will acquire a starter before the deadline, because unlike in past years July 31 is the absolute final day for clubs to make deals," reported the Post.

The Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays seem to have the starters who will likely be traded before the deadline with Matt Boyd and Marcus Stroman respectively and the Giants and Indians, with their recent surge in wins, will likely hold onto Bauer and Bumgarner.

Cashman has a lot of work to do, both working the phone and consulting with talent experts.  But he will get it done; he has to because pitching is the final piece of the post season puzzle that needs to be filled to make the team complete.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof