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The Yankees’ rotation has received a serious boost or a giant question mark.
Friday night, a few hours after rocking the sport by reconnecting with DJ LeMahieu, the Yankees added Corey Kluber, two-time winner of Cy Young.
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They agreed with the 35-year-old on a one-year contract worth $ 11 million.
Let’s take a look at the Yankees’ projected new rotation with Kluber in it.
No. 1: Gerrit Cole
Of course, it’s Cole. Nothing shocking here. He will be in his second year of a nine-year contract, after an impressive first season in the Bronx, in which he went 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 starts, striking out 94. Cole pitched in Games 1 and 5 of the American League Division Series.
# 2: Corey Kluber
No way around that. Kluber instantly becomes the Yankees’ second starting pitcher. Of course, he’s only made eight starts in the past two years. Of course, there is a risk. But there’s this: The Yankees have been hot for Kluber for years, dating back to the middle of the last decade when he was the Indian ace. In addition, they should know everything there is to know about Kluber’s health. The right-hander spent the offseason training with Eric Cressey. Kluber even organized his training with scouts at the Cressey facility in Florida on Wednesday. Prior to last season, the Yankees hired Cressey to revamp their strength and conditioning programs. They have always had an in-depth knowledge of the very accomplished starting pitcher. Giving him $ 11 million seems like a huge vote of confidence.
N ° 3 (possibly): Luis Severino
Severino won’t be coming back from Tommy John’s rehab until the summer. When he’s at his best, he could be co-ace with Cole. Remember that Severino finished third in the Cy Young vote in 2017 and ninth in 2018.
# 3 (currently): Jordan Montgomery
The Yankees love Montgomery. They love that he’s 6-foot-6, hits hitters at an awkward angle, and he’s left-handed. He wasn’t very good in 2020, averaging 5.11 in 10 starts. But it was also a strange season for everyone. The Yankees expect better from the 28-year-old. And he is capable of being very good.
N ° 4: German domingo
Yes, the German has flared up in the Dominican Winter League, but the Yankees’ talent assessors just believe he ran out of gas after failing to pitch the entire 2020 season due to his suspension in under the league’s domestic violence policy. In 2019, the German was a revelation, with an 18-4 record averaging 4.03 in 27 games (24 starts). The capacity, surely, is still there. How long will it take the 28-year-old to remove the rust? And how will he be received at the clubhouse? (The bet here is that the latter will be fine.)
No. 5: Deivi Garcia
The rookie looked unfazed in the majors, going 3-2 with a 4.98 ERA in six starts last year, his debut. Can he handle the workload of a full season?
The extras: Mike King, Clarke Schmidt, Jonathan Loaisiga, Jhoulys Chacín
Jhoulys Chacín comes to the Yankees with 226 career starts. But he hasn’t been very good since his 15-8 with a 3.50 ERA in 35 starts for the Twins in 2018. The Yankees just added him on a minor league contract. Clarke Schmidt is the most talented of the group, but manager Aaron Boone has said he might need “more seasoning.” Mike King could provide sleeves and features a two-stitched killer. Jonathan Loaisiga is talented, but he’s probably better in the survey pen at this point.
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Brendan Kuty can be reached at [email protected]. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
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