Yankees Are One Move Away From Competitive Contention

Earlier this week I wrote about the Yankees potential for grabbing free agent Blake Snell. You can read the piece HERE. If not Snell than who? Sure Carlos Rodon looks lean and clean. Sure Marcus Stroman has swagger. And Gerrit Cole is coming off a Cy Young high. But does the starting rotation really have what it takes to beat up on teams and contend for the World Series? I don’t think so. I think they are one move away.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, “Bottom line: If the Yankees are going to make the playoffs and contend for a World Series title, it’s not without adding another strong starter, and with Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery left on the free-agent board and Dylan Cease of the (Chicago White Sox) still available via trade, New York must land one of them,” Bowden said. That’s his take. That’s my take. What’s Brian Cashman’s take? 

Cashman has stated publicly that nothing is blocked as far as reaching out to agents or agents reaching out to him. “But we do like what we have here. But it’s a long season. We’re certainly not going to assume that what we have now is going to be enough. That’s why the job is always to be open,” said Cashman as reported by Patrick McAvoy for SI.com. 

The injury bug has not been kind to the Yankee pitchers over the last several seasons. And although they have strong arms in their minor league system, there is always a air of caution in bringing the youth up too soon. 

According to The New York Post, “Will Warren and Chase Hampton threw live batting practice on a backfield with an interested crowd that included a handful of Yankees executives and coaches. “They looked really good,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Two guys we’re certainly excited about and excited that they’re in camp with us and checking that box of that experience, which is important to be around our guys. I’m excited about their progress and definitely feel like those guys have bright futures.” 

Warren could see his way to the Bronx sooner than Hampton but it would be a longshot for either of them to be on the roster come opening day. Which again begs the question, are the Yankees ready with the rotation they have now? I still think they are one move away. If the Yankees are going to contend against the Orioles who 101 games last season and continue to chip away at the pesty Blue Jays and Rays, they need more than what they have right now. 

The future looks bright with the first preseason game only one week away. Will the Yankees provide a good forecast for their upcoming season with their roster moves this off-season? Hard to say. A lot is riding on Juan Soto to perform and of course Stroman and Alex Verdugo. Maybe Warren will be ready but guaranteed one of the seasoned veterans available will be fired up to play well. It will be an interesting week ahead for the Yankees. Can’t wait to see if Cashman bites the bullet and gets one more strong arm. 

–Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof