FanPost

The Yankees shouldn't be afraid to spend on pitching help for the rotation


The Yankees starting rotation needs help, and everyone knows it. It has 4 starters fixed in it, so it needs 1 quality starter to complete it, and a depth starter to complement the likes of Loaisiga and Adams. Note, I didn't say German or Cessa, they don't have minor league options so they suddenly become a lot harder to use, sort of like David Hale.

Looking at this, the Yankees shouldn't be afraid to go all in on the remaining starters. Losing Corbin was a major wound, sure, but turn it into a lesson that it's OK to spend your money. The Yankees have enough money to win pretty much any bidding war, and they can also eat salary if they want. The luxury tax junk all happened last year, so that we could spend big this offseason with a lesser penalty. This means that the Yankees could use their depleted farm system to make another trade, but their already much depleted system will not be a solid system. It's not too late to go out and sign Keuchel and Kikuchi, Kikuchi and Happ, or Keuchel and Happ for the rotation. Hal needs a open wallet, though. If Eovaldi can get 4 years and 67 million, or something like that, then expect Keuchel to get 4-5 years and 80-90 million. The Yankees can go and give him a four year, 90 million deal and go no higher (which seems like something they wouldn't do) and lose out, or they could, say, give him a 4 year 95 million with a 15 million player option for a fifth year. This will probably come back to bite them in the long run, but for the first 2-3 years it will be worth it and to me, they should do it. Happ or Kikuchi are about equal in my mind. I think Kikuchi is better, but also unproven in the MLB, whereas Happ is not quite that good, but proven. I think that Kikuchi could sign a 6 year 60 million contract is more than he will probably get. Now Kikuchi has his risks, but it's not like his contract would be hard to eat if he struggles for his first few years which I doubt he will. Happ is another option, and is proven and seems to have at least one more good year in him. I would sign Happ for 3 years 60 million and a 15 million team option for a fourth year seems reasonable, and if that doesn't do it, then make the option part of the contract (4 years, 75 milliion), I think that the first choice would work, though.

Notice that all deals are a little over the top, meaning that the Yankees can get the players for them most likely. I think that if they can get them for cheaper, then do that, but they shouldn't be afraid to offer a suggested deal, or a little more. They should learn from losing Corbin, and pay up to win it all in 2019, and 2020, even if it means a bad situation in the long run... a ring or two is worth it.

FanPosts are user-created content and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Pinstripe Alley writing staff or SB Nation.