Diary of a Yankees fan: The Yankees do not need starting pitching. They have one of the best starting pitching rotations in baseball on tap for 2027, if there is a season. Nevertheless, the Yankees have been linked to free agent ace Tarik Skubal, and they are visiting with a recently posted Japanese right-handed pitcher, Shoki Oda, on November 5. Are the Yankees just doing their due diligence, and have they been linked to Skubal because of his Agent?
The Yankees do need a third baseman and cathcher, preferably right-handed hitting. They could always use a bullpen arm, particularly if there is one out there who Rob Blake thinks he can resuscitate. There is also David Bednar, to whom the team just offered a qualifying offer. Yet these needs are not what the Yankees are pursuing right now. Diary of a Yankees fan, does this make any sense?
Diary of a Yankees fan
The Yankees are pursuing free-agent starting pitchers, where there is smoke there is fire and there is smoke the Yankees are looking to reinforce their strength. Diary of a Yankees fan, it is fair to wonder why the team is seeking to reinforce a strength. This article is going to explore this issue, starting with the strength of the Yankee Rotation.
The Current Starting Rotation for the Yankees
The current starting pitching rotation for the Yankees is one of the best in baseball and is under contract for 2027. For starters, diary of a Yankees fan, Cam Schliiler was just named a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award. He is joined in the starting rotation by aces Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodon. The team also right now has starting pitchers Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil. It is a baseball truism that a team can never have enough starting pitching, but this is the strength of the team.
Tarik Skubal
Recently, the Yankees, diary of a Yankees fan, the Yankees have been linked to free-agent pitcher Tarik Skubal. Skubal is one of the best pitchers in baseball. He was traded, with much fanfare, last season from the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers. There, he pitched exceptionally well. He was 5-2 with a 2.61 earned run average and a microscopic 1.05 walk-plus-hit rate over innings pitched.
Now, the addition of Skubal would signify the return of the evil empire, so that would be good. However, it is the case that the rumor of Skubal’s addition to the Yankees could have been leaked, falsely, by his agent Scott Boras to drum up interest in the starting pitcher. He knows, as does everyone else, that the collective bargaining agreement in baseball will expire on December 1. At that point, there will be a work stoppage, and there could be a prolonged lockout. Free Agents will want to be signed before then.
Shoki Oda
It was reported on November 5 that Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman was traveling to Japan to meet with and woo Japanese starting pitcher Shoki Oda. Oda is a fascinating 18-year-old who throws 98 miles per hour. Being so young, he is a developmental prospect who would be a good barometer for the Team’s ability to sign international talent. This too has atrophied in recent years, Diary of a Yankees fan.
Conclusion: What the Yankees Actually Need
It is possible that both of these rumored pursuits may not be real. However, where there is smoke, there is fire. However, the rumored pursuit by the Yankees of a starting pitcher first is concerning, Diary of a Yankees fan. The team needs a second baseman and a third baseman. They could also use relief pitchers. Maybe the team could turn their bounty of starting pitching into relief pitching.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
