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Yankees Rumors: Jason Hammel An Option For Rotation

By Kenneth Teape

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel (39) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel (39) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees Rumors: Jason Hammel could be a veteran the team targets to bolster their starting rotation.

New York Yankees rumors continue to pop up despite being just over a month away from Spring Training. The heavy lifting for the Yankees offseason is probably done, with Aroldis Chapman and Matt Holiday representing the biggest moves for the Yankees. But, the pitching staff still remains an area of need for the team.

The Yankees are rumored to be in the market for left-handed pitching help in the bullpen; Boone Logan and Jerry Blevins are two names to keep an eye on there. In addition to a lefty in the bullpen, the Yankees could still add an arm to the mix for the starting rotation.

One player that has been mentioned in trade talks is the Chicago White Sox Jose Quintana. It is probably a long shot that the Yankees acquire him, as the White Sox are looking for a monster haul, and rightfully so. That is not something the Yankees are willing to do currently from the sounds of it.

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"“I think the most important currency to have nowadays is high-end prospects, and I think we — by everyone’s evaluation — have collected a number of those,” general manager Brian Cashman told MLB Network. “So I think we can easily do that. It’s just, will we do that?“I think we’ll stay engaged in the marketplace, and over time, if we do match up favorably with anybody where we can get what we want and they get what they want, then yes, we’ll try to pull something down.”"

Quintana would fit nicely into the Yankees rotation that only has Masahiro Tanaka, C.C. Sabathia, and Michael Pineda as locks right now. Not willing to reach the astronomical asking price, the Yankees could go bargain bin hunting instead.

If that is the course they decide to take, one player to keep an eye on is Jason Hammel. Hammel is reportedly among the free agent pitchers that have received some level of interest from the Yankees. It makes sense, as Hammel could be a stop gate option for the backend of the Yankees rotation as they wait for their young guns to be ready for the major leagues.

Hammel made 30 starts for the Chicago Cubs last season, going 15-10 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 144 strikeouts in 166 2/3 innings pitched. He has experience pitching in the AL East, as he pitched with the Tampa Bay Rays the first three years of his career and the Baltimore Orioles in 2012 and 2013.

If he is still available once Spring Training opens up in a couple weeks he could be someone the Yankees seriously consider bringing into camp. More competition is never a bad thing, as it will bring out the best in the players knowing they have to perform well to earn a spot.

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Right now the Yankees have Luis Severino, Brian Mitchell, Luis Cessa, and Adam Warren vying for a spot in the rotation. If none of them show well in the early part of Spring Training it wouldn’t be a surprise to see some veterans brought in, and that veteran could be Hammel if he is still available.

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