The New York Yankees addressed their lineup in a big way this winter, adding reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton to the mix in a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins.
But the upstart Yankees have remained interested in starting pitching help throughout the offseason. With spring training set to get going here soon, that has not changed.
“With Darvish — and Todd Frazier — having signed elsewhere, the Yankees’ free-agent options are coming into focus. They have monitored Lynn’s marketplace this offseason, but it’s unclear if they can fit him into the roughly $15 million they have budgeted for spending between now and Opening Day,” Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com reports. “The Yankees’ payroll is not yet close to the $197 million luxury-tax threshold, but general manager Brian Cashman wants to allow flexibility for Trade Deadline moves.”
Despite adding Stanton and his huge contract to the mix, payroll has been more of a central theme for the Yankees since former owner George Steinbrenner passed away back in 2010. Having about $15 million to spend between now and opening day, they can add a solid starting option to their rotation. Though, the market itself will dictate what happens here.
Yu Darvish received north of $20 million annually from the Chicago Cubs this weekend. Taking that into account, the Yankees are likely looking at a lesser pitcher. Lance Lynn has been bandied about as a possibility. Jake Arrieta might also be a realistic option. Again, that depends on how the market plays out there.
After re-signing CC Sabathia in free agency, four of the Yankees’ five rotation spots are settled. Currently, Jordan Montgomery and Chad Green would be battling it out for the fifth spot during the spring.