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MLB Free Agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Jason Hammel

By Brendan Dlubala

Jul 22, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jason Hammel
Aug 29, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; A New York Yankees hat & glove sit on the field before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

5. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are expected to be quite active this winter and pitching could be a priority. General manager Brian Cashman has made numerous statements about acquiring bullpen help but has also made inquiries about several starters, including Jason Hammel.

Hammel is a part of a very thin free-agent class that got even smaller after Jeremy Hellickson accepted the Phillies’ qualifying offer of $17.2 million earlier this month. Rich Hill (37), Ivan Nova (soon to be 30), and Hammel are the top starters of the 2017 free agent class. Hammel has won double-digit games and finished with an ERA under 4.00 for three straight seasons.

Hill and Nova were both Yankees at some point in their careers, but signing either has flaws. Hill is 37-years old and coming off a spectacular season which will likely lead to a team over-paying for him. Nova was traded from the Yankees to the Pirates at the August 1st trade deadline and a reunion is very unlikely.

However, Hammel would add experience and stability to a Yankees rotation of Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda. The remaining possible starters for the Yankees are inexperienced at best. Many predict Adam Warren or Luis Severino to be considered for the starting rotation, but both have seen success as relievers and the Yankees may want that to continue if they fail to land a few bullpen free agents.

With that said, the 2017 New York Yankees rotation would likely be:

  1. Masahiro Tanaka
  2. Michael Pineda
  3. Jason Hammel
  4. CC Sabathia
  5. Luis Severino / Adam Warren

Luis Cessa, Chad Green, and whoever doesn’t make the rotation out of Severino and Warren would all be available as spot starters and long relief. Given Sabathia and Tanaka’s injury history, depth will be important for the Yanks. However, Hammel’s elbow injury is also a concern going forward for any teams interested since he wasn’t on the Cubs’ playoff roster at all.

So depending on Hammel’s medical reports and the bidding war over him, the New York Yankees seem like a top destination for the veteran righty. They are going to depend on their talented youth and need a dependable starter to give them quality starts and Jason Hammel could do that easily.

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