The New York Yankees missed a lot of chances in the offseason to sign a top starting pitcher. Initially, they were the favorites to land the best international free agent coming from Japan, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The NY side even offered the Japanese ace pitcher a pretty good deal of $300 million over ten years. But one thing they could not offer the Japanese superstar was a place on the West Coast. In the end, that turned out to be the deal-breaker. Later, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Yamamoto with a 12-year deal worth $325 million. Since then, several starting pitchers in free agency were under the radar of the Yankees.
For instance, Corbin Burnes was a viable trade target for Brian Cashman and Co. But they lost Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. As a result, the Orioles are yet again the biggest threat to the NY side to win the American League East division. But what hurt the Yankees Faithful the most was losing Blake Snell to the San Francisco Giants. Fans were eager to see the two reigning Cy Young winners – Gerrit Cole (AL) and Blake Snell (NL) team up in 2024. In the end, Snell’s asking price was just too high for the Yankees. However, it’s not too bad for the Bronx Bombers as it seems they already have backup for the two-time Cy Young winner.
Who Are The Yankees Backup For Blake Snell?
For a long time, fans have been waiting to see the Yankees sign a backup pitcher for Gerrit Cole. But at present, things have gotten worse as their ace pitcher sustained a severe right elbow injury and will not play for one to two months. However, the Yankees don’t have any backup for Cole yet, so they have to look for such a hurler in the market. But if they fail to sign one, then they can pick three from their minor-league teams. According to Empire Writes Back of FanSided, there are three players, the Yankees can use as backup for Cole and Snell: Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Clayton Beeter. Gil missed the whole 2023 season because he was recovering after Tommy John surgery.
King of the Gil.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 16, 2024
3.1 IP // 1 H // 0 R // 1 BB // 4 K pic.twitter.com/fviWAY6z88
Earlier in 2021 and 2022, he played a few games in the big league. He was among the top ten prospects for the Yankees in both of those years. On the other hand, Will Warren ranks as the number eight prospect at present for the Yankees. He has been moving up pretty fast in two minor league seasons. But Clayton Beeter joined the Yankees in 2022, coming from the Dodgers. He seemed like a throwaway to allow the NY side to trade Joey Gallo. But he has been the 14th prospect for the Yankees twice in a row.
Cole’s Absence Weakens The Shaky Starting Lineup Of The Pinstripes Even More
Among the three possible minor league options, Luis Gil has the best chance to make the big league. After all, the Yankees need a backup for Cole for the next whole month. Who knows how long will it take the 2023 AL Cy winner to get back to the rotation?
Moreover, losing the 2023 NL Cy Young winner to the Giants can be costly, too. But the Yankees did what they had to do to protect their luxury payroll taxes. Will Warren and Clayton Beeter not start the 2024 season in pinstripes? However, there is a good possibility that they might end the year in pinstripes.
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