WHO WILL BE THE NEXT STARTING PITCHER FOR THE YANKEES?

Source: USA Today

The subject of starting pitching is always touchy and when you get closer to the trade deadline and teams go on tears or nose dives following the All Star Break, upper management gets really cranky about picking up and selling starters for either post season hopes or team rebuilds.

"The volume of contenders seeking starters makes this a seller’s market in that area, yet no one is selling the kind of unquestioned ace for which an overpay is more palatable. For example, among those with at least 80 innings, (Madison)Bumgarner is ranked 42nd in Fangraphs’ Wins Above Replacement. (Robbie) Ray is 44th. Sandwiched in between is Domingo German. (Matthew) Boyd, Bumgarner and Ray do not have as high groundball rates as the Yankees prefer in starters, and Ray’s 11.9 walk percentage is third-highest in the majors," reported the NY Post on Tuesday.

Source: USA Today

The Mets placed starting pitcher Zack Wheeler on the injured list with a shoulder issue on Monday.  Even if he can start before the trade deadline in just around two weeks, will he even be a prospect for teams like the Yankees?  Not likely.  Even more unlikely are the Mets' possibilities of trading starting pitching to the Yankees; something they have not done in 15-years!  So not only are injuries a sensitive subject when it comes to starting pitching, but who you are "allowed" to deal with is equally sensitive.

"The Giants’ two wins over the Rockies on Monday gave them 10 victories in 12 games and (eventually they went 13-2 before dropping a game to the Mets Saturday afternoon), driving them within a few games of the second wild card despite being four games under .500. Rival executives still expect GM Farhan Zaidi to think big-picture and sell his most desirable pieces — namely Madison Bumgarner and a group of relievers led by closer Will Smith," reported the Post.

The Texas Ranger will likely be sellers and with that said pitcher Mike Minor could be a big contender in this market.

Source: USA Today

This is also the time of year where wear and tear seems to get the best of pitchers, with guys like Wheeler heading to the IL. We have heard of talks Trevor Bauer making a trip to the Bronx. Also in the mix is Marcus Stroman, as the Yankees have had multiple trades with Toronto in the last several years and the Blue Jays are likely not going to contend in 2019.  Who will make it into the final trade talks with the Yankees?

"One SNY source ended the Luis Castillo-to-the-Yankees party before it even started a few weeks ago saying it will absolutely never happen. But MLB.com may have got it going a little bit a few days ago saying the Castillo trade possibility isn't a complete lost cause. The asking price is just exorbitantly high. The Yankees are World Series or bust this year. It's really that simple. Adding Castillo makes them the instant undisputed favorite to win the World Series and if the Yankees will just put up Clint Frazier, Deivi Garcia and maybe Miguel Andujar, that deal gets done. Period. Zero doubt," reported Sporting News.

Source: MLB Trade Rumors

Rotation woes stem from not only the lack of starting pitching due to Luis Severino's injury but lack of consistency with James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka.  As the Cooperstown gets ready to install two Yankee pitchers into its Hall of Fame, consistency is key to stay on course and carry a team to reach its post season goals.  The next couple of weeks leading to the trade deadline will be interesting and Bleeding Yankee Blue will keep close to the talks as we learn who the next starting pitcher for the Yankees will be.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof