New York Yankees: The Top 10 Pitchers They Should Look to Acquire
This slideshow is going to run through the top 10 pitchers the Yankees should be looking at right now. You will see, though, that some of these guys could be long shots. The Yankees do need to look at some pitchers right now because of the absence of Andy Pettitte, who officially announced his retirement last Friday. This creates a huge void, as the team needs someone outside CC who could become a surefire ace.
10. Scott Kazmir
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Kazmir used to be, key word used to be, a premiere starter in the majors. After his 3.49 ERA campaign in '08, though, Scott Kazmir really took a hit and fell to these stats right now, which are in the basement. I honestly consider the Yankees acquiring Kazmir to be a very low possibility. This is true especially because they would have to pay him about $6 million dollars. Unless the Angels pick up at least half of that contract and expect a tiny return of 1, maybe 2, B-level prospects, cross this name off the list.
His stats from 2010: 150.0 IP, 5.94 ERA, 93 K.
What I think: It's a good gamble to take if LAA is willing to eat up some of his contract and be willing to take back insignificant prospects.
9. Kevin Millwood
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Millwood is an interesting name. '09 was a bright spot for him, possibly an anomaly. Nevertheless, he has continued saying that he loves pitching for a contender, and his stats support this fact. If the Yankees could give him a 1 year/$2 million dollar deal, they should go all in for this guy. It's a great gamble to take, and he is a real innings eater.
Stats from 2010: 190.2 IP, 5.10 ERA, 132 K
My take: Millwood should not be judged based on his horrible 2010 campaign. Despite these bad outings, he has been an innings eater and could succeed with a contender. It's definitely worth the risk.
8. Jeremy Bonderman
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The only reason I have Jeremy Bonderman this high on the list is his age, 28. As seen in 2006, Bonderman can pitch well, as he had a 4.08 ERA with 214.0 IP. At a fairly young age, he has the potential he needs. A huge thing that worries me is his strikeout numbers. He can't be a fly ball pitcher at Yankee Stadium. It would be a tough transition to go from pitcher-friendly Commerica Park to hitter-oriented New Yankee Stadium. If I were the Yankees, I would only give this guy a minor league deal, since he's not getting much else right now anyway.
Stats from 2010: 171.1 IP, 5.53 ERA, 112 K
My take: I like Bonderman because of his age. He has not shown much potential in MLB, except for in 2006. I would only sign him to a minor league deal at this point.
7. Joe Saunders
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Let's face it, I don't love Saunders. He is at age 29, at his prime, and could tap into his potential right now. He is almost like Jeremy Bonderman, with a mediocre ERA and strikeout numbers, but the innings pitched really brings him up. Saunders was a great innings-eater last season and could continue that trend into 2011. I would be cautious, however, because he struggled on LAA with a 4.67 ERA, beginning to improve in the NL. We saw how a Cy Young candidate NL pitcher in Javier Vazquez got killed in the AL East.
Stats from 2010: 203.1 IP, 4.47 ERA, 114 K
My take: Saunders is a decent, consistent pitcher. He could be counted on to pitch in the Bronx with around a 4.50 ERA this season. I would only look to trade for him with smaller prospects.
6. Clayton Richard
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Clayton Richard, the jewel of the Padres young pitching rotation not named Latos, is a very interesting, underrated player. That is why the Yankees could get him for less than he's really worth. He is a great innings-eater, has a stellar ERA, and knows how to strike batters out. I didn't put him higher on this list, though, because he would be transitioning from the NL West to the AL East. At such a young age, that would worry me a bit. Also, Richard would be moving from the most pitcher-friendly park in the majors to one of the most hitter-friendly parks. Don't want to knock on Richard though, great 27 year old pitcher in his prime, as you could make a case that Javy was descending from his peak.
Stats from 2010: 201.2 IP, 3.75 ERA, 153 K
My take: I would be willing to take a gamble on Richard for the right price. If I were Cashman, though, I wouldn't put too much stock in his great numbers, as he spent most of his time at Petco (aka: the pitcher's paradise).
5. Ryan Dempster
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Right now, I'm not so sure that the Cubs would get rid of Dempster, as they have 5 starters as it is. They were previously looking to ditch one guy, who ended up being Tom Gorzellany. This means that the Yankees would have to give elite, MLB-ready prospects in return. Montero might not be needed in this type of deal, as the Cubs may already be content with Soto behind the plate. They wouldn't be able to DH Montero because of his apparently poor defensive skills. The Yankees would look to trade one of the Killer B's, probably being Brackman or Betances, Hector Noesi, Joba Chamberlain, and a B-level prospect.
Stats from 2010: 215.1 IP, 3.85 ERA, 208 K
My take: This guy's an ace. He is consistent and would give the Yankees some great innings. Giving up Betances and/or Noesi could be the biggest move in the way of a huge acquisition. This guy's gold, though, as long as he doesn't run into injury.
4. Wandy Rodriguez
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Wandy is a name thrown around every now and then. The Yankees and Astros have made good trading partners, seen in the Berkman deal over the summer. The Astros would definitely need a homer threat behind the plate, so Montero has to be in this conversation. I could see the Yankees giving up Montero, Noesi, and a B-level prospect up for Rodriguez. Plus, rumors are that the Astros are almost desperately trying to remove one of the pitchers from their rotation in an attempt to drastically improve their offense.
Stats from 2010: 195.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 178 K
My take: I don't know about this one. I love Wandy, especially with his second half surge. He could even improve at Yankee Stadium, as he had to deal with the Crawford boxes at Minute Maid Park. Just not so sure if the Yankees would be willing to part with Montero and another top-level guy for this guy. Rodriguez knows how to get it done, though.
3. Fausto Carmona
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Fausto Carmona is an intriguing name. After painfully defeating the Yankees in the 2007 ALDS, he really dropped off from the face of the Earth but managed to make a resurgence this year. Fausto is coming off a stellar campaign and did everything asked of him this year. He knows how to pitch on the big stage and has all of the potential, especially at a young age. The Indians already have a great catching phenom in Carlos Santana, so look for them to attempt to acquire MLB-ready pitching. The Yankees would have to trade Noesi, Gardner/Chamberlain, and a B-level prospect. Cleveland wouldn't necessarily look for Warren or Phelps because they need some OF and bullpen help. Sizemore is an injury-prone option, and there is no solid lockdown pitcher in the 'pen.
Stats from 2010: 210.1 IP, 3.77 ERA, 124 K
My take: I love this guy, especially with the numbers he put up last year on a horrible team. He knows how to pitch in big spots and Cashman would be willing to part with pitching prospects and infield prospects, as long as they don't have the name Jesus. I am not 100% sold on Carmona, though, as he had ONE good year after TWO dreadful years.
2. Chris Carpenter
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These last two pitchers would probably not leave their respective teams before the season starts. Carpenter is a number 1 type ace. If the Yankees acquire him and put him behind CC, they would easily become the number 2 rotation in the MLB, threatening Philadelphia for the number 1 spot. A deal for Carpenter is likely for some major league team, as St. Louis would want to make his $10 million salary expendable in an attempt to resign Pujols. The Yankees would need to give up Noesi, Chamberlain, Adams, and Warren/Phelps. This would give the Cards 2 ML-ready starting pitchers, a shutdown bullpen pitcher, and 2B/middle infield help.
Stats from 2010: 235.0 IP, 3.22 ERA, 179 K
My take: I like the work Carpenter has done, although his age does concern me a little. I would pull the trigger on this one, as Cashman can definitely make the move, possibly even offering Montero. Carpenter would have success in the Bronx, barring injury, and would make a difference in the pennant race.
1. Felix Hernandez
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This could possibly happen, although it seems unlikely. If a trade for Felix Hernandez did occur it would most probably happen after the season starts. Once the Mariners fall out of contention, which will happen, they will probably look to trade the King for a hefty sum. I think it is possible they move him. Cashman would need to convince Zdurencik that King Felix is NOT the M's future. He is signed for 5 more years, yet it would take the M's at least 3 years to rebuild. They still need a good power hitter, shutdown bullpen, and better starting rotation outside the number 1 spot, not to mention defense outside of CF with Franklin Gutierrez. These are all of the fundamental elements needed, so Seattle needs to look at getting something colossal in return for Hernandez. The Yankees would need to give up Montero, Noesi, Warren/Phelps, Chamberlain, Gardner, and a B-level prospect. They could try to find a LF within the organization, possibly being Adams (who is said to possibly be on the move), Laird, Maxwell, and a sleuth of others.
Stats from 2010: 249.2 IP (not a typo), 2.27 ERA (not a typo), 232 K (not a typo)
My take: Sorry about all of the nontypos I threw in there, but King Felix is the best possible fit. He has lockdown numbers and is so very young. If I had to chose a flaw of the King's it may be that he has not ever pitched in any big spots. The Yankees can definitely make a trade happen, but Montero would be the key piece. If the Mariners become the worst or one of the worst teams around the trade deadline, expect Cashman to at least inquire about the possibility, especially if the Yankees are somewhat struggling.
