The New York Yankees didn't lose just one pitcher this week, but they lost two. First, the team squandered an opportunity by acquiring Jose Quintana. The Yankees were rumored to be very interested in Quintana but didn't want to pull the trigger with their prospects. Then, according to Jack Curry of YES Network, Michael Pineda is lost for the season with a torn UCL.
Pineda's injury a major blow
The Yankees starting rotation is already relying on the bottom half. Presumed ace, Masahiro Tanaka has a 5.47 earned average to go with his 6-8 record. Pineda was a solid starter this year by going 8-4 with a 4.39 Earned Run Average, but that production will be lost.
It's also a blow to the pitcher himself as he was entering free agency this year.
The injury means that the team is going to have to rely on CC Sabathia and Luis Severino even more now. Severino recently made the All Star game with his respectable 3.54 earned run average through 106.1 innings. Sabathia is 7-3 this year before going down with an injury, but he is back. At age 24, Jordan Montgomery is going to have more pressure as well.
The Yankees are slumping their way out of the division race. With a 45-42 record, the team is 4.5 games out of first place as they trail the Red Sox. The team is 3-7 in their last ten games.
Injury could mean potential trade
The team didn't want to part with prized prospects to acquire Quintana, but if the Yankees are within reaching distance of the playoffs via wild card, the team could change direction with their stance with Pineda's injury.
There are still pitchers on the market that could be up for grabs.
Johnny Cueto of the Giants is likely to opt out of his deal at the end of this season and could be valued less with his recent pitching performances. Yu Darvish makes the most sense as he would blend well with Tanaka, but the Yankees would have to give up similar to what the asking price for Quintana was.
Sonny Gray is a potential target as well.
Regardless, the Yankees lost out on a durable starter when they didn't pull the trigger for Quintana. The rotation is not the strongest in the division. Especially, when you have to go up against the likes of Chris Sale, Rick Porcello, and David Price from the Red Sox. It's possible that the Yankees will ride this out, and go after a starter in free agency. Then again, you can never know what to expect from general manager Brian Cashman at the trade deadline anymore. The next week and a half of play might give you a hint.
