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

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS ANOTHER STARTING PITCHER

Source: Elite Sports

So, I was settling in on the idea of the five-man rotation of Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ, James Paxton, and CC Sabathia and then CC had heart surgery and I became unsettled.  Truth be told, I was never really sold on Sabathia being the fifth starter because of his endurance issues and re-occurring knee injuries, but now I am really out on it.  So, Santa Cashman, I am making a last minute request, "Can you please sign another starter for Christmas?" 

Source: Sporting News

According to the New York Post, "There are plenty of lefty starters still available in free agency: Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Derek Holland, Francisco Liriano, Brett Anderson, Wade Miley, Martin Perez, Jaime Garcia, Drew Pomeranz and Japanese star Yusei Kikuchi, plus Clayton Richards was designated for assignment last week by the Padres, and lefties such as Texas’ Mike Minor and perhaps Arizona’s Robbie Ray could be had in trades." 

Source: New York Post

Cleveland Indian Corey Kluber is being heavily pursued by the Dodgers whose blockbuster trade on Friday left them with a lot of salary to sweeten the pot for a stud like Kluber.  Honestly, I want in on him.  I know we are expected to get Jordan Montgomery back sometime in the early part of the season, if all goes well with his rehab from Tommy John surgery, but the Yankees need insurance and actually, they need another big guy on the hill.  I would say Keuchel, Pomeranz or Kluber would satisfy my Christmas list.  Santa, please?

Source: Twitter

According to LA Dodger sports writer Howard Cole, "The Dodgers are getting some difference-making players this offseason. Corey Kluber is almost certainly on the team’s wish list (and at the top of mine). A real catcher (and perhaps J.T. Realmuto) is coming as well."  So, I have some competition for Kluber, not to mention I am thinking the Indians want to keep him, presumably and contend again.

Source: NY Post

If the Yankees want to truly contend, they need more than a robust infield and bats.  They need a lock-solid starting rotation and that means, another stud on the hill.  All I want for Christmas is another starting pitcher.  I can be patient...I can wait until January.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

9 IN A ROW: YANKS SWEEP NATS ON FATHER’S DAY

Another day, another win; that’s how life has been in Yankeeland for a while now, and I love it. Behind just enough offense, and a strong starting pitching by Ivan Nova, the Yanks finished off a three-game sweep over the Washington Nationals, 4-1, as well as extending their win-streak to nine-in-a-row.The Yankees won, but their hitting with RISP failed, again. They went 0-for-12 on Sunday and 6-for-36 (.157 BA) in the series. Not trying to be Debbie Downer here, I just like to tell it how it is. Anyway, they scored four runs on 10 hits on the afternoon. Their first run came in the first inning on a Mark Teixeira sac-fly, while Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano homered in the fifth and seventh inning, respectively.

The final run came on a Jhonatan Solano passed ball to score Andruw Jones. Tex went 3-for-4, Grandy went 2-for-4 with a walk, and Robbie went 2-for-3 with two walks.

Though the Yankees could have done better on offense, Ivan Nova, who improved to 9-2 on the season, didn’t really need it. Ivan pitched 7.2 brilliant innings, allowing just one run on seven hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. In his last three starts, Nova has gone 3-0 with a 0.80 ERA while accumulating 22.2 innings and sporting a K/BB of 15/3. Not bad, not bad at all. Edwin Jackson, on the other hand, went 6 innings while yielding two runs for the Nats.

Following Nova were Boone Logan and Rafael Soriano. Logan picked up the final out in the eighth while Soriano wrapped it up with his 13th save in the ninth. Soriano is now 13-for-14 in saves, and like him or not, this guy has a legit chance to make the All Star team. Nice work, Sori.

The Bombers will come back home to the Bronx and try to make it 10 in a row as they host the Atlanta Braves. CC Sabathia (8-3, 3.70 ERA) will toe the rubber against Mike Minor (3-4, 6.01 ERA) on Monday night. Go Yankees!




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer

Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse

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YANKEES & NOVA PUSH TO FIRST PLACE

Remember when everyone was worrying about the Yankees three weeks ago after losing seven of nine resulting in a last place tie with the Red Sox? Me neither. Following the Yankees’ 3-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday, the Bombers have now won 14 of their last 18 thus making up 5.5 games in the standings resulting in a first place tie with the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East.

Ivan Nova started, and he was fantastic, again. He pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing just five hits while punching out six, though he did have some help behind him (more on that later). In his last two starts he’s pitched 15 innings while letting up just one run while striking out 11. It’s about time the real Ivan Nova shows up, and in total on the season, he has an 8-2 record with a 4.64 ERA.

Following Ivan Nova was a quartet of relievers: Cody Eppley, Clay Rapada, Cory Wade, and Boone Logan (save) who combined for two shutout, hitless innings. The reason why Rafael Soriano didn’t pitch the ninth was because of a blister, but Joe Girardi said that he should be available tomorrow (read HERE).

The Yanks didn’t muster much offense, but they didn’t need to because of Nova’s dominance. Robinson Cano, who went 2-for-4 on the evening, had a two-out RBI single in the first. In the second inning Raul Ibanez made his only hit on the night count as he took Braves’ starter Randall Delgado deep for a solo shot in the second.

The final run on the evening came in the third when Alex Rodriguez scored on a Delgado wild pitch. Nick Swisher did go 0-for-2, but he quietly had a great game. He worked two walks while robbing Brian McCann of a two-run homer in the fourth.

With this 3-0 win, the Yankees are now 35-25 which is tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the best record in the American League. Definitely a fan of that. Anyway, CC Sabathia (7-3, 3.69 ERA) will give it a go against Mike Minor (3-4, 6.57 ERA) in the middle game of this three game set on Tuesday.

 

--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.