Manager Aaron Boone has impressed this spring, saying the Yankees are “fully committed” to becoming champions again. It also made for a great back page (thank you, New York Post sports desk!).
But really, it’s just some witty phrasing, nice words, and some tough talk on Boone’s part at this point. If the organization is actually “serious” about winning a championship, they’re bound to add another starting pitcher — and a hell of a good pitcher.
Boone from the University of Southern California is a smart linguist. But until further notice, I think it’s more accurate for Yankee to say this…
“We want to win a championship.”
or …
“I hope things go well.”
If the Yankees are serious about winning their first World Series since 2009 — a long time ago, when I was still middle-aged — they are very talented, but clearly very deep. will definitely strengthen a thin rotation.
As it stands, even the Mets, who don’t have a full roster this year, boast healthier and more capable starting pitchers.
As it stands, the Yankees have high hopes for Nestor Cortez, who had a shoulder issue last year and had a 4.97 ERA, and Carlos Rodon, who had too many issues to name and posted a 6.85 ERA. . It’s somewhat reassuring that the contingent from Tampa suggests Rodon is on his way to finding his old fastball. Because he certainly didn’t look like the same player who had the best ERA in the game in years.
As it stands, despite the poor odds Las Vegas is betting on (plus-1000 or tied with Houston at 10-1), the Yankees have too many rotation questions to be a World Series contender to take too seriously. I can’t accept it. The Yankees seem to understand they need another starter, which is why they’re looking to acquire White Sox star Dylan Cease and at least link free agent Blake Snell. This is why it still exists.
The Yankees were pretty happy after signing former Met Marcus Stroman, a Long Island native who had been adamant about becoming a Yankee, for a fraction of Snell’s price, or $37 million over two years. It was like that. Stroman is energetic and athletic and is a necessary addition, but if you want to win, you’ll need a pitcher in the middle range category in free agency or a two-time Cy Young Award winner like Snell. We shouldn’t take an “either/or” approach to this. .
I’m not saying they have to acquire Snell right now. But they need at least one more playoff-worthy starter. It’s either Snell or Jordan Montgomery, and as the arch-rival Astros are now saying, he turns out to be ready in October — either a stoppage or a mystery pitcher whose name has not yet been mentioned on the trade market. It could be either.
If you’re really serious, of course Snell is the way to go. He’s the most troubling part this side of a healthy Jacob deGrom, and criticism of his alleged lack of innings is over the top. Last year, he pitched 180 innings on the run to Cy Young and 486 innings over the past four years, including the pandemic year.
If the Yankees were to sign Snell, they would have the top right-handed and left-handed pitcher combo in the rotation. Gerrit Cole was the best pitcher last year, but Snell has been better since late May. He posted a 1.20 ERA over the final four months, which was exactly twice as high as any other player (Kyle Bradish was next best at 2.40).
If I were a stickler, “hell-bent” would be translated as snell-bent. But I understand. If they sign Snell, especially one of the short-term, high-AAV deals that have been flying around in the press lately (reported, but not confirmed whether he’s willing to pay as much as $105 million over three years) The Yankees would still give up draft picks and international funds if they signed him. Additionally, they run afoul of the 4th tier Steve Cohen tax base of $297 million, meaning they pay 110 percent on nearly every deal, so their real financial cost is $297 million per year. Approximately $70 million.
So if they don’t like the idea, I understand that. Even if they’re horribly crooked, I’ll give them a pass as long as they add pinstripes and playoff-worthy rotation pieces.
Montgomery is a guy they liked, especially after beating the Astros in last year’s ALCS, and he would do well for much less than $35 million a year (likely $25 million). However, “stop” also has a meaning.
Schiess was one of the best pitchers in the league in 2022, but our guess is that 2023 is just a blip in what will be a great career. He’s more durable than anyone other than Cole, more durable than Snell, and best of all, he earns a very reasonable salary of $8 million. Even though he’s worth less than $17 million in taxes, he’s still a bargain for a starter at the top of the rotation.
The problem, as the Post reported, is that the White Sox wanted the Yankees’ top prospect Spencer Jones, a speed and power threat. Scouts see him as a future 30-30 guy, so that’s not difficult. None of this is easy. However, he said they are committed to winning and the current rotation is not deep enough.
