THE YANKEES SECOND CHANCE ROTATION

Source: The New York Post

As always, I try to stay positive and focused as the Yankees head to spring training in just a few weeks. I am hopeful they have done enough to make the starting rotation an emerging one, one that will come together and gel within a few weeks in Tampa. But you look at the numbers and playing time among the potential rotation and you have to scratch your head a bit. The Yankees went out and built a rotation around their ace Gerrit Cole with second chance pitchers.

Famed sports writer Mike Lupica from MLB.com wrote, "So here are pitchers behind Cole who, by the way, was everything the Yankees could have hoped for last October, all the way to Game 5 of the American League Division Series vs. the Rays:

Corey Kluber: One inning pitched last season.

Luis Severino (if and when he is healthy again): No innings pitched last season.

Jameson Taillon: No innings pitched last season.

Domingo Germán: No innings pitched last season." 

Source: MLB.com

Lupica quite frankly took the wind out of my sails. I respect the heck out of the guy and he makes up some good points, ones I have contemplated myself. But, the Yankees made some risky moves to fill the rotation and yes, are taking a chance on some guys who have had fallen on some tough times either through injury or bad decisions. Yet, as Lupica states, the "Yanks attempting bold new pitching approach." 

"The last time the Yankees did win it all, their starting rotation was CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte (then 37), A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain, the only pitchers on the team to make more than nine starts," says Lupica. When you put it that way, Cole, Kluber, Severino, Taillon and German don't sound that bad. And mix in Jordan Montgomery and Deivi Garcia and the Yankees could be on to a great formula. 

Kluber, Severino, Montgomery and Taillon all are coming off injuries, with Taillon having had Tommy John surgery twice. The Yankees need to be careful with these guys who need an intentional regiment aligned to their needs and recovery protocols. 

Taillon is fired up, ready to go and anxious to make the most of his second chance. I gather that the rest of the bunch are just as excited and are looking forward to the best spring training and subsequent season of their lives. Let's hope so. Let's hope they take every ounce of that second chance out for a spin and make of the most of this opportunity to win with the Yankees in 2021. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof