The New York Yankees are really up against it with just a couple weeks to go before Opening Day. News that ace and reigning American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole could be out up to two months with an elbow injury has this team between a rock and a hard place.
Front office head Brian Cashman and Co. were also in on Dylan Cease before he was dealt from the Chicago White Sox to the San Diego Padres earlier in the week.
Right now, there are only three real locks for the Yankees’ starting rotation. That includes free-agent signing Marcus Stroman, veteran Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt. Nestor Cortes and Clayton Beeter also fit into the equation as possible options for the five-man Opening Day rotation.
It’s obviously not a great situation as New York looks to compete with the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays in what is a loaded American League East this season.
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New York Yankees in on Michael Lorenzen in MLB free agency
Jon Heyman of the NY Post reported on Thursday that the Yankees have now checked in on Lorenzen after Cole’s injury and following the Cease trade to San Diego.
To be clear. The 32-year-old Lorenzen would be nothing more than a mid-rotation arm. He posted a lofty 5.51 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 11 games (seven starts) with the Philadelphia Phillies after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers last season.
Lorenzen did earn an All-Star appearance in the American League prior to the trade, posting a 3.58 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with Detroit.
At this point, the Yankees could stand to add two rotation pieces ahead of the start of the regular season. The obvious big fish is reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Adding Lorenzen to the mix wouldn’t necessarily take New York out of the running for Snell.