The New York Yankees have the obligation to go to the winter market of the MLB by a senior, experienced pitcher, one who can make them compete with their tough rivals in the AL East and guide them back to the World Series.
The free agency of the Big leagues will offer some options with that profile to the management headed by Brian Cashman.
One of them is Justin Verlander. The MVP, 2-time Cy Young, and 8-time All Star winner will be available at break.
Justin Verlander might make more than expected – and less sense for Tigers – when he returns in 2022 https://t.co/Z2OOnFfwCf
– MLive (@MLive) August 31, 2021
If you talk about experience, you have plenty. The right-hander has played in 16 seasons, and no active pitcher has more wins than he with 226. He is also a postseason veteran, with 19 playoff series and a World Series ring.
It sure won’t be too expensive to give you a contract, but it does have a downside. The 39-year-old Verlander has only pitched in one game between 2020 and 2021 and underwent Tommy John surgery.
On the other side will be Max Scherzer, the main favorite to win this year’s Cy Young in the National League for his 15-4 balance, 2.46 ERA and 236 strikeouts.
Since arriving in a trade to the Dodgers in the middle of the season, he has given a recital with 7 wins without losses and a 1.98 ERA. He has had some fatigue issues in these playoffs, but the 36-year veteran is shaping up to be one of the most coveted pieces of the winter.
So much so, that the Spotrac portal estimates that its value will be in the range of $ 35,568,665 per year, and that it could aspire to a two-year, $ 70 million agreement.
That investment is something to consider in New York. There is no doubt that if Verlander is healthy he is a great option, but if the Yankees do not want to take risks they should choose Scherzer.
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