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The players are out there, but the field is narrowing.
You’re familiar with the top-tier names. Since the Yankees missed out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, every fan has been rolling them around in their smooth brain curves on a daily basis.
Every one of them has flaws. Each of them would be an improvement over the present back of the rotation. At the very least, each of them appears to be an unlikely Yankee. Blake Snell. Jordan Montgomery. Corbin Burne. Dylan Cease. Shane Bieber. Shōta Imanaga. Jesus Luzardo. Edward Cabrera. (Sigh) Marcus Stroman.
Without one of these “big-ish” names in pinstripes, the Yankees will struggle to claim success in the high-end pitching market this winter. However, making any of the above names the focal point of your offseason — especially at high prices — might backfire just as easily as make you a king. And, given Brian Cashman’s recent attempts to acquire pitching, whichever one he chooses will most likely backfire.
So, what happens if Cashman shops at the bottom tier? Frankie Montas and Luis Severino both received bigger guarantees than expected, but there are still a few fascinating players available on one- to two-year contracts for less than $30 million. There are no poor one-year contracts, but a pitcher
We appreciated Sean Manaea’s new sweeper. Everyone admired Sean Manaea and his new sweeper. Don’t allow anyone acquire hipster cred by claiming to be one of the few who liked Manaea’s new armament. If 2024 does not go his (and the Mets’) way, the opposing viewpoint — that it doesn’t matter/Manaea is still a mid-ceiling, 120-inning guy — should be credited.
Still, while Manaea and his new broom are likely the most tempting fit at this price point, the Yankees have other possibilities.
Yankees can still sign three (very inexpensive) short-term pitching contracts.
Michael Lorenzen (2024)
According to FanGraphs’ evaluations of the Yankees’ current rotation depth chart, this starting staff ranks in the top half of the league. That’s not taking into account a return to Cy Young form for Carlos Rodón (rather than a mild rebound), a huge chunk of innings from Luis Gil (they expected only 18), or Will Warren’s potential breakout.
Warren might be quite good in 2024, but banking on him as your fifth starting rather than being pleasantly surprised by his efforts seems stupid. This is where an arm like Michael Lorenzen comes in.
Lorenzen, who pitched a no-hitter in Philadelphia last summer, would only need to clear tLorenzen’s potential best year is most likely 2023. All-Star highs, big lows (getting kicked off the team after tiring out before October), guts, determination, and brief glimpses of greatness. If the Yankees can acquire 130 quality IP at $13-14 million AAV over two years, they should do so. Where is Lorenzen’s Market right now?.
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