JUSTIN WILSON ADDS DEPTH TO THE YANKEES ROTATION

Source: USA Today

With Yankee phenom Clarke Schmidt shockingly shut down due to elbow soreness, Brian Cashman pulls another rabbit out of the Yankee magic hat. The Bombers sign LHP Justin Wilson to a one-year contract on Tuesday with a potential for an extension in 2022. Adding Wilson gives the Yankee much needed depth to a new rotation which could prove to be a winning rotation if carefully managed.

According to MLB.com, "Wilson, 33, spent the 2020 season with the Mets, going 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA (19.2IP, 8ER) and 23K in 23 relief appearances. Overall, he held opponents scoreless in 18-of-23 outings, allowing more than 1ER in just two appearances." He could be stretched out and utilized as a starter, an opener or a long reliever, giving the Yankees some additional flexibility.

"I’m really excited about him. He’s somebody that I think we kind of early on in the winter time identified as someone that could potentially impact our club,” Boone said. “We think he’s going to be another good complement to what we hope is a really special bullpen," reported the Associated Press. Wilson will pair nicely with a veteran bullpen which includes Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Chad Green and newly signed Darren O’Day. 

The Yankees have made some key moves this off season, but will they be enough? The team needs time to gel of course, and the talent is there, so now it comes down to performance. Time will tell but hopefully the additional depth will give the Yankees an opportunity provide adequate rest for their pitchers leading to better outings and more wins. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof