2019 Yankee Rotation

[jacksonianmarch]

With the signing of JA Happ, the Yankees are likely done adding to their rotation, but not done subtracting. To this point, Sonny Gray is still in the rotation, but he is expected to be dealt. Either way, while only one name of the following was not on the Yankee roster to finish 2018, having a full season of both Paxton and Happ will help with some of the uncertainty that the Yanks were facing when the playoffs concluded. Last year, our rotation was

 

2018 opening day

1. Severino

2. Tanaka

3. Gray

4. Montgomery

5. Sabathia

 

As we saw, JMont had 4 of 5 solid starts before blowing out his elbow in Houston in May. He had TJS and is expected back around the ASB. Severino ended up having a CY level first half, then lost command in the second half for the second season in a row. Tanaka missed 5 starts with a hamstring injury and was the reverse Severino. He was so bad, he was almost pulled from the rotation in May. He then posted a 2.85ERA post ASB and was our best pitcher from Aug 1 on. Gray couldn't pitch in Boston or NY. Not an issue for a west coast club, a terrible issue for the Yankees and hence why he is on the trade block. Sabathia has fended off father time for years now. He has outperformed his FIP for 3 seasons in a row and has seen his FB velocity maintain right around 90 which has made him very effective in short outings. He is no longer a horse capable of throwing complete games, but he is good enough to give you 5 good innings every 5 days.

 

We finished 2018 with Gray in the pen and JMont on the shelf. Happ was very effective for us and our 5th slot was filled with Lance Lynn and a cadre of children, one of which is now in Seattle. Happ returns to his slot in the rotation. The slot vacated by JMont was filled temporarily with Domingo German, who was a flop in his first extended stay in the majors. The kid has amazing stuff, just couldn't seem to avoid the one big inning. Loaisiga came on and was good in 4 starts before developing shoulder tightness. We then filled the spot with Lance Lynn, who gave us a 5th starter level performance. Enter James Paxton. Paxton was on cruise control and headed for a career high in innings when he was hit by a comebacker. He was averaging over 6IP per start when he was hit. When he came back, the Mariners were falling out of contention and limited him to 5IP per start for the most part, dropping his average. He has wicked stuff with high velocity. And while his lone 2018 start vs Boston didn't go so well, the 2 starts before that were 7 and 8 inning shutouts. Prior to 2018, his issues were muscle/tendon issues (back, shoulder, leg, etc). Last year, a comebacker is what hurt him. We shall see if he has overcome his injury woes and can reach his potential in NYC. Happ also returns to a slot that he filled with relative ease. His time in NY was nothing short of sensational. While he only averaged under 6IP per start, his production was exceptional. More K than IP, a WHIP near 1 and an ERA well below 3. He replaced Gray who's ERA was close to 5 and his peripherals all suffered when he took the mound in NY.

 

2019 rotation

1. Severino

2. Paxton

3. Tanaka

4. Happ

5. Sabathia

 

Either way, nobody will sit back and say the Yankees downgraded in the rotation department. We have a leader of the rotation who has finished in the top 10 in the CY two years in a row in Severino. Tanaka has been lights out to finish seasons 2 years in a row. Sabathia has been steady yet unspectacular. Happ has continued his late career renaissance. Paxton adds a possible co ace with Severino. The rotation is gonna be really good if they can stay healthy. They can be lights out if Paxton and Severino can reach their potential together. And do not forget the important of having Montgomery ready post ASB and having your top prospect in AAA ready to come in if need be (Loaisiga).

[BillyWilliams]

Here's a pretty good read about Sevy written by a buddy of mine.

 

https://lennymelnickfantasysports.com/baseball/yankees/they-hit-it-like-they-knew-it-was-coming/?fbclid=IwAR0-xPgVlD5N_aL7rLKam9_kK7y0kRRw0Q9bLIxxQ2BVDYX0OjyX3Nv4oVc

[jacksonianmarch]

Tipping pitches definitely makes sense. I wonder if he was doing the same at the end of 2017. His stuff hasn’t suffered.

[Northern Star]

How about signing Machado and making him a starting pitcher?