These 2021 NY Yankees are starting to look like the AL favorites once again. Not only did they bring back their beloved DJ LeMahieu, but they also added to their rotation. By adding Corey Kluber to their rotation, they’re taking on a risk that could have a very high reward if all goes well.
These 2021 NY Yankees are starting to look like the AL favorites. The 34-year-old is coming off of two injuries that have limited him to less than 10 starts total since 2019. While he may not be a top-three pitcher anymore, his potential is there as you can never count a two-time CY Young award winner out.
2021 NY Yankees: Low Risk, Monumental Reward
If Corey Kluber is no good, it’s just a one-year deal, so the Yankees won’t be too stressed. If he were to succeed? Well, then you have a starter with two Cy Youngs, and they have one incredible ceiling. From 2017-2018, Corey Kluber had a 2.58 ERA, 2.82 FIP, 2.81 xFIP, and a 2.96 SIERA. He also had a 12.7 fWAR, being top four in nearly all run prevention metrics. He could still have some of that in him, and if he somehow does, the Bronx is going to be a death sentence for teams in the playoffs. The 2021 NY Yankees could end up with one deadly pitching staff.
Working With Familiar Faces
The Yankees pitching coach, Matt Blake, has worked with the Cleveland Indians and Corey Kluber before. They are very familiar with one another and on top of that, a Yankees’ training staff member Eric Cressey helped Kluber rehab. There was an inside track to the New York Yankees, and Corey Kluber will be very familiar with Yankee personnel.
It’s very possible that the Yankees are aware of Corey Kluber’s health and know that he’s healthier than we think. It’s a risk still, but having personnel that have worked with Corey Kluber is a great indicator of what he’s going to be able to do in 2021.
How Will the 2021 NY Yankees Build Their Rotation?
With no Luis Severino until the summer, they’ll need to rely on internal options for now. They have some really talented arms like Domingo German, Deivi Garcia, and Jordan Montgomery to round out the final spots. While the Yankees may not be the most stacked rotation in baseball right now, they’re certainly one of the better ones now. This team will have a rotation of:
- Gerrit Cole
- Corey Kluber
- Jordan Montgomery
- Domingo German
- Deivi Garcia
This is a pretty solid rotation, though I wouldn’t count the New York Yankees out of a trade for a starter. This team is making moves again, and that should give the Yankees’ fanbase some piece of mind.
The 2021 NY Yankees Are Set Up For a Trade
The 2021 NY Yankees might have a new addition to their roster on top of DJ LeMahieu and Corey Kluber. With these signings, the Yankees need to clear two spaces on the roster, and this could be done via trade.
They might be getting ready to ship off some prospects to get one of the starting pitchers on the market. Whether it’s Luis Castillo or Joe Musgrove, they could be drawing up a plan to make a move. When the iron is hot, you keep pressing it, and the stove is scorching for the Yankees. I expect a trade before Spring Training for a starter, and for the Yankees to be even better.
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Castillo likely too costly to acquire.
might be wise to re-sign Tanaka if he’s willing to accept a salary half of what he previously been getting.
by the way, Ryan, you omitted Domingo German from the starting rotation…barring a trade, he’ll be in it