July 30, the 2021 trade deadline, is not that far away and in the offices of the teams of the MLB They work hard to balance the changes of players that change the face of the organization for the final stretch. The New York Yankees they are in the same as their 29 rivals and everything points to reinforcing their starting pitching to go strong to a possible postseason.
Hard chips in the starting rotation are imperative for Aaron Boone’s squad. Right now, when the regular round is ending its third month, they only have ace Gerrit Cole as a reliable card for high intensity duels. The right-hander’s numbers are impressive, notably his 2.33 ERA with 123 strikeouts in 96.2 innings.
After the fast straight shooter there is little that can be rescued. The management, surely, handles privileged information regarding the health of the arm of Corey kluber (3.04 ERA in 10 starts) and may be looking to his return late.
Beyond, however, uncertainty reigns. Luis Severino was injured in his recovery and now his return will take longer; Domingo Germán has complied but does not look like a drinkable option to be second or third starter in a playoffs. The same situation is repeated with Jameson Taillon and Jordan Montgomery. Among the last three, the overall ERA is no less than four runs per nine innings and they have been connected by the unattractive figure of 34 home runs (as of June 24).
The answer to “will the Yankees or Mets trade for Max Scherzer” is inherently speculative. But the question allowed us to present several pertinent facts about both teams.https://t.co/RbwPb2Szug
– Andy Martino (@martinonyc) June 18, 2021
What is the best solution in sight for this situation? You don’t have to be a fortune teller to bet on an elite starter, who becomes an effective lieutenant for Cole and helps to forget doubts about the return of Kluber.
Options? Fortunately, there are many on the market, but Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has to be willing to “pay” for a possible deal with good prospects or by taking on very high-dollar contracts.
The first name that pops up in the analyzes is Max scherzer. At 36 years old and having a good 2021 season (2.19 ERA in his first 14 starts), he sounds like an ideal pitcher for these eager Yankees. Behind Gerrit Cole he would be a powerful force, who also knows what it is to win as he lifted the World Series trophy in 2019.
Mind you, to bring Scherzer to the American League, the Yankees may have to come out of a pack of at least two good prospects and maybe a young reliever.
Trade Deadline Talk: @jonmorosi and I chat with @mtmeyers about which teams will be buyers and sellers, as well as some potential fits. https://t.co/cYMGazd8yT
– Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) June 23, 2021
Is Scherzer the only option? Of course not. The Yankees can also ask for José Berríos, on the Minnesota Twins, or German Marquez, in the Colorado Rockies, To a greater or lesser extent, these young pitchers can be worth a lot but in return they can get a more reliable piece in New York than those they have today to form a good tandem with Gerrit Cole.
Also, if what Cashman wants is not to “spend” a lot, there are “cheaper” pitchers that would add positive things. They are Tyler Anderson (Pirates), Kyle Gibson (Rangers), Kenta Maeda (Twins) and Merril Kelly (Bells). But with them the way would be different. They may be a fourth postseason starter to come after Cole, a recovered Kluber and the best among Germán, Severino, Taillon and Montgomery.