Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke May Be the Only Hope for the Yankees’ Rotation
May 22, 2012 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees‘ starting rotation currently ranks 27th in all of baseball (via FanGraphs). They allow a ridiculous 1.62 HR/9 (second highest), they own a 4.93 ERA (fifth highest) and they have been worth just 2.0 WAR as a group.
CC Sabathia and his 3.78 ERA has been the only real bright spot.
Ivan Nova owns a 5.69 ERA and a WHIP of 1.653, Hiroki Kuroda already has six losses, Phil Hughes allows 2.2 HR/9 and Andy Pettitte has made just two starts this season.
At 21-21, the Yankees are now tied in last place in the AL East with the Boston Red Sox, and they are on the outside looking in of what seems to be an exceptionally strong division in 2012.
While it may be a stretch, Brian Cashman and the Yankees may be able to turn their season around with the addition of either Cole Hamels or Zack Greinke.
First, we’ll take a look at Hamels.
So far this season, Hamels has been worth 1.5 WAR—and for good reason. He currently owns a 6-1 record with 9.61 SO/9 and an ERA of 2.48. He’s been one of the lone bright spots in Philadelphia this season.
Meanwhile, Greinke is worth more in terms of WAR than the entire Yankees rotation combined at 2.5. He is 5-1 this season with a 2.70 ERA and 9.37 SO/9. He was previously linked to New York a few offseasons ago, but a deal never materialized.
Both pitchers would likely command similar returns, as both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Phillies will ask for the moon for their young aces.
Any deal would likely begin with Manny Banuelos, the Yankees’ top prospect, and could likely include Mason Williams—their top position prospect—as well. On top of that, both teams could ask for David Phelps to fill out the vacant spot in their respective rotations.
To sweeten the deal, the Yankees may have to throw in one of their many catching prospects—Francisco Cervelli, Gary Sanchez or J.R. Murphy—though the likelihood of including Sanchez in said deal is slim.
With either Hamels or Greinke pitching behind Sabathia, the Yankees would have one of the top one-two punches in the American League—and all of baseball for that matter.
Their chances of making a run to the postseason would greatly increase with another ace on board, and, should they make the playoffs, they have a very good chance of matching up with the other team’s top pitchers.
We’ll just have to wait and see if any deals materialize, but Cashman would be wise to make a few calls to shore up his inconsistent rotation.
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