Brian Cashman admits Yankees struck out on starting pitchers at trade deadline
The Yankees improved almost every corner of their roster. They solidified third base by importing Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. They upgraded the bench by adding Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox, Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals and José Caballero from the Tampa Bay Rays. They transformed the bullpen by adding Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar and San Francisco Giants closer Camilo Doval, while also adding middle reliever Jake Bird from the Rockies. But the lone area the Yankees didn't address was their starting rotation.
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Cashman told reporters on a conference call after the trade deadline that he tried to add a starter but was unsuccessful.
'We try to improve every aspect of the club, and this is what we have to show for these efforts,' Cashman said. 'We certainly knocked on many doors regarding potential starting pitching, but, obviously, we weren't able to match up in that category.'
Cashman did not directly address to a question regarding his interest in adding Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, but before the deadline passed, multiple sources told The Athletic that the Yankees held substantive conversations centered on trading for the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner.
'You're used to so many conversations that lead to nowhere, but we were able to push through on a lot of these conversations, and that's what we're here to talk about,' Cashman said. 'Can't really talk about the ones that we couldn't make. There was a lot of effort and a lot of different arenas, but they were not to be. We're excited about the additions, and we're excited by the players we have. So we're looking for that coming together for the final sprint and hopefully doing great things.'
As it stands, the likely October rotation for a seven-game series would feature Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Will Warren. After Rodón, the Yankees have several questions about their rotation that remain to be answered. Gil is set to make his season debut Sunday against the Marlins, but it's unclear if he'll look like the version of himself from last season. Warren has struggled finding consistency, but when he's dialed in, the rookie has flashed top-of-the-rotation stuff. The wild card is Cam Schlittler. He can touch 100 mph with his fastball, but the secondary offerings must improve if he's going to have a role in the rotation. Veteran Marcus Stroman does not figure to be a part of the Yankees' playoff plans.
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With how Cashman rebuilt the Yankees' bullpen, maybe the club can survive rotation uncertainty in October. Once a weakness this season, the Yankees' bullpen is now fearsome. Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Camilo Doval and David Bednar can all close. When healthy, Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. can be excellent middle relievers. Cruz leads all MLB relievers in strikeout percentage. Tim Hill is a ground-ball machine and a lefty specialist. Jake Bird and Jonathan Loáisiga offer strikeout stuff at their best.
Games could get much shorter for the Yankees, if their bullpen now performs to expectations. It's gone from a glaring weakness to a strength. And it could be enough to make up for the Yankees not adding to their rotation.
'We are better today than we were yesterday,' Cashman said. 'So, mission accomplished there.'
(Photo of Marcus Stroman: Brad Penner / Imagn Images)
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