New York Yankees interest in Keuchel exposes concern over rotation
By Ed Stein
The New York Yankees have a definite interest in signing former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel who remains a free agent. Adding another top starter shows the Bombers are concerned about their rotation.
Tuesday was the one-third mark of the 2019 season for the New York Yankees. They enter the middle trimester in first place with a 35-19 record and one game lead over second-place Tampa Bay. Starting pitcher James Paxton returned from the injured list on Wednesday afternoon to throw four scoreless innings as part of a 7-0, shutout win over San Diego.
Now that four-fifths of the New York Yankees rotation is active and for the most part pitching well, it may both surprise and delight their fans that the team may look to upgrade the group. A report by MLB.com’s Jon Heyman during his Big Time Base Ball Podcast on Tuesday mentioned that the Bombers are one of four serious suitors for the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner.
It’s safe to say Keuchel will have a contract with someone in a week’s time. Per the MLB collective bargaining agreement, after the Amateur Draft (ends on June 5), signing teams no longer have to give draft pick as compensation to the team that loses the free agent (if said UFA turns down a qualifying offer from his original team). That’s why this upcoming week will be very important to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. He needs to reach some conclusions about his starting pitching going forward this season.
Despite losing their ace, Luis Severino, before the season started, the New York Yankees rotation looks strong at the top. Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka (3.20 ERA), and Domingo German (9-1, 3.43 ERA) have all shown periods of excellence so far in 2019. Additionally, 38-year-old CC Sabathia gave his team five or so good innings per start until his knee acted up on him and he went to the injured list for the second time this season on May 23.