The New York Yankees did not have a dependable pitching department to begin in 2024. They sacrificed a lot of their pitching depth while trading for the blockbuster Juan Soto deal. Moreover, they needed the power of the Dominican slugger. Last year was terrible for the Bronx Bombers. They had the second-worst batting average in the league. Only the Oakland Athletics were even worse than the NY side. As a result, the 27-time champions finished fourth in the American League East in 2023. Moreover, they had an 82-80 record in the 2023 season.
That’s why the front office thought about reinforcing their offense by going all-in. Hence, they sacrificed their pitching resources for Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, and so on. On the other hand, they signed only Marcus Stroman for a two-year deal worth $37 million. Besides Stroman, the Yankees have the likes of Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes to provide some support to the AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole of last year. However, the most dependable starter of the Yankees won’t be available for at least a month. That raises concerns about what was already a shaky pitching department at the start. Now, who will the Yankees target in the market to fill Cole’s void?
Perhaps Michael Lorenzen Is The Answer And Not Blake Snell
NJ.com’s beat writers have been debating Bob Nightengale of USA Today regarding Snell’s trade with the Yankees. Nightengale feels the Yankees want to eventually sign Blake Snell. But NJ.com argues that their beat writer has been saying for almost a month about the NY side having no interest in Snell. However, USA Today and other media houses kept saying the Pinstripes are still in the bidding. But Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media noted that the team officials said the team was not interested in the two-time Cy Young winner. According to NJ.com, “Yankees Nation should get over Blake Snell already.
New Offer rumors are BS.” Later, on Sunday, Bob Nightengale reported that the 27-time champions have not re-engaged in any discussion for Blake Snell. But there is a free-agent starter, Michael Lorenzen, who is under the radar of the NY side. Experts say that the best-case scenario is Gerrit Cole will lose a couple of months. If that’s true, then they need backup now more than ever. One more injury issue can be fatal for the Bronx Bombers in 2024, even before the season started. The shaky starting rotation is the biggest concern.
Why Lorenzen Is A Pretty Good Deal For The Yankees?
The starting rotation behind the 2023 AL Cy Young winner is not very dependable. Moreover, the team is planning to fight for the World Series. But without Gerrit Cole, it is not possible for the 27-time champion. However, it is also not easy to sign any slugger or pitcher just because the team needs them the most. The Yankees must take care of their luxury tax penalty.
Last season, Michael Lorenzen played for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. It will only cost the Yankees a two-year deal worth $20 million. It is in the kind of bracket where the team is willing to pay. Moreover, Lorenzen, if he joins the Yankees, will probably need a haircut. The Pinstripes might pay Lorenzen $20 million instead of $150 million to Blake Snell for two years.
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