We are one week from the MLB non-waiver trade deadline and the rumor mill is perpetually churning out gossip. Some of the speculations spit out are sheer nonsense, while others will prove that where there is smoke, there's generally fire. One team that is always mentioned in the rumor mill is the Yankees.
Last season, the Bombers were sellers at the deadline for the first time since the early 1990's, but this season, it's back to business as usual. The team whose mantra is to win the World Series every year, and whose former owner, the late George M.
Steinbrenner III, once said, "winning is second to breathing," have found themselves once again be in contention for the Commissioner's Trophy.
With a new corps of Baby Bombers, surrounded by some savvy veterans, the Yanks are in prime position to make it back to the postseason for only the second time since 2012. A deep lineup -- anchored by Aaron Judge -- a now "super" bullpen, and a lot of grit and determination have gotten the Yankees this far, but more is needed if they are to travel deep into October.
Long the achilles heel of the team, the starting rotation has been consistently inconsistent.
The rotation
Masahiro Tanaka, who was supposed to be the staff ace, has been abysmal to say the least.
And, every time he puts together a nice start and people think he's over his issues, they crop right back up the next time he takes the hill.
C.C. Sabathia, who had to win a spring training battle for the fifth starter spot, has instead been the second or third best pitcher in the rotation, but has so far done it with smoke, mirrors, and moxy, but little else.
There's no guarantee that he will be able to keep that up, and his last five seasons say he won't.
Jordan Montgomery is a rookie and has been a revelation from day one. However, he is still a rookie, and has never pitched so deep into a season that you can say he will still be performing well come October. He has no track record and sometimes that's as much a curse as it is a blessing.
Luis Severino has been the ace of the staff, and after the year he had last season, he has renewed the faith that the Bomber brass and fans alike had in him when he debuted two seasons ago. However, like Montgomery, who knows if he can hold up over the length of the season? The early returns are positive, but let's hold off on anointing him as savior until later.
Michael Pineda is lost for the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, and his replacements, Bryan Mitchell, Luis Cessa, and Caleb Smith are not the answer.
There are a number of starters available on the trade market, most notably: Justin Verlander and Sonny Gray. But trading for either of these pitchers will cost the Yanks more in prospects than they are willing to part with, and to be honest, neither is the answer in New York.
The solution
This brings us to the only option left. Call up number one pitching prospect Chance Adams. Adams has blown through the minors this season, and has dominated at every level. Currently pitching in Triple-A, it is time to see what this strikeout artist is capable of at the big league level.
General Manager Brian Cashman can talk all he wants about being able to find a suitable fifth starter on the market, but why deal away the prospects you fought so hard to collect before seeing what they're capable of?
Adams gives the Yanks the best chance, (no pun intended), to win both now, and in the future. The outcome of this Yankees' season will be determined by the Baby Bombers, (Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Clint Frazier, Luis Severino, etc.), so why not add one more to that group?
Adams is far from a sure thing, no prospect is a sure thing, but it's time to find out what he can do, and this is a decision that could make or break the Bombers' season. So make it now, and hope the season follows suit.
