With the retirement of CC Sabathia at the conclusion of the 2019 season, the Yankees will be faced with a decision on who will replace the 39-year-old southpaw. With a free agent market with several interesting names available, the Yankees have several options on routes to take.Embed from Getty Images
Gerrit Cole (Astros): Every single team in baseball would love to have Cole in their starting rotation. He will solidify the Yankees rotation, and give them another starter for the playoffs. Most importantly, the Bombers would be stealing him away from their toughest American League competition, arguably the toughest competition in all of baseball. The price that it will take to sign Cole is going to be high, even though he will turn 30 next September. If Brian Cashman wants his services, he might have to be willing to go five years or more with Cole.Embed from Getty Images
Jake Odorizzi (Twins): The Yankees could once again fleece a potential playoff foe by signing Odorizzi. Odorizzi will have a much cheaper price tag than Cole but can still be a solid No. 2 or 3 in the starting rotation. Odorizzi will be coming off a much-improved sophomore season with Minnesota, after struggling in his first season after being traded by Tampa. Odorizzi will be 30 at the start of next season and can definitely be in the Yankees future plans for several years to come.Embed from Getty Images
Madison Bumgarner (Giants): If the Yankees are looking for a southpaw in the free agent market, here is the marquee name. Bumgarner has everything teams want: World Series rings, the competitive drive, and a veteran presence in the clubhouse. Bumgarner has been in the league since 2009 and is only 30 years old. The price tag on Bumgarner will be difficult to tell, due to his past successes in a Giants uniform. He will more than likely command a five- or six-year contract. With his age, it is very unlikely Cashman will offer anything over four years. Will Bumgarner be willing to take more salary with fewer years on his contract? The question remains to be seen.Embed from Getty Images
Jordan Montgomery (Yankees): You have him, so why not use him? Montgomery is coming off Tommy John Surgery and has shown that he can compete in this league. He had a very convincing 2017 season and started off the 2018 season on the right foot before injury claimed the rest of the 2018 season, as well as most of the 2019 season. The southpaw will be 27 this offseason, and still has several years of team control. If the Yankees feel as if they should stick with what they already have, here is their answer.Embed from Getty Images
Rich Hill (Dodgers): I know what everything is thinking! “Derek, why would the Yankees ever sign a 40-year-old pitcher who is coming off a forearm strain?” Well it’s simple. Because he still has some gas in the tank and would be a one-year deal for the Yankees. This is one of those contracts that cannot be considered a “bad contract.” Even a one-year deal worth $15 million would be satisfactory for many fans. He’d also be coming from a powerhouse to another powerhouse, helping the Yankees if they faced the Dodgers in the 2020 World Series. It’s a short-term solution that can definitely pay off for the Bombers.
