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Yu Darvish rumors: Top 5 landing spots

By Joshua Sadlock

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 26: Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws against the Miami Marlins in the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 26: Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws against the Miami Marlins in the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 20: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees reacts after a pitch to Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros during the second inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 20, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 20: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees reacts after a pitch to Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros during the second inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 20, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. New York Yankees

There was a rumor floating around on the Twitter machine that the Yankees had offered Darvish seven years and $160 million. If that were indeed the case, the right-hander would have already been introduced holding up his pinstriped jersey. He simply isn’t going to find another team willing to pay him that much over seven years. In all seriousness, it’s highly unlikely Darvish is even able to secure a deal longer than five years in this market.

The Yankees are trying to get underneath the luxury tax, and they can still do that if they backload a contract for Darvish. It gets even easier if they are somehow able to find someone to take on a portion of the remaining sum owed center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Brian Cashman was able to pawn Brian McCann off on the Astros last winter, but he had more offensive value than Ellsbury at this point of his career.

By showing a willingness to trade Clint Frazier and Chance Adams for Gerrit Cole, the Yankees showed they are serious about filling out their rotation this winter. Keeping CC Sabathia was a smart move, but there are no guarantees the veteran can stay healthy for another full season. Sonny Gray has also been inconsistent for two years, while Luis Severino’s innings still need to be managed smartly.

While the Yankees do have arguably the best bullpens in baseball, there interest in Shohei Ohtani, Cole and Darvish this winter shows they are serious about upgrading the rotation. If the Yankees are in an arms race with the Astros, another move is coming to counter the trade for Cole. They can find a way to afford Darvish, and it would come as no surprise to see him wearing pinstripes in 2018 and beyond.

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