Fansided

Why the Yankees can win without trading for a pitcher

By Rucker Haringey

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 4: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on before game two of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 4, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Players on both teams are wearing the number 42 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, as it is the makeup of the game rained out on April 15. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 4: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on before game two of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 4, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Players on both teams are wearing the number 42 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, as it is the makeup of the game rained out on April 15. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
TAMPA, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Justus Sheffield #86 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during the New York Yankees photo day on February 21, 2018 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Justus Sheffield #86 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during the New York Yankees photo day on February 21, 2018 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. Accelerate Justus Sheffield’s timeline

More than a few eyebrows were raised when Loaisiga got the call to replace Tanaka over Sheffield. The lefty, after all, is already pitching at the AAA level while Loaisiga had been merely average at AA in terms of results. Even so, it’s clear the Yankees still have high hopes for their talented southpaw prospect.

At the moment, the plan is to keep him in AAA for the time being to help him get some more professional innings under his belt. That’s almost certainly the right plan for his long-term career. However, one more issue with the rotation may require the team to push Sheffield’s timeline up.

Sheffield would almost certainly be called up in the event of another injury. He’s also the logical successor to either Domingo German or Loaisiga if they run into a bad run of form. Sheffield doesn’t project as an ace, but most scouts believe he can comfortably slot into the middle of New York’s rotation for years to come.

Again, calling Sheffield up isn’t the sexiest move Cashman can make. He doesn’t have top of the rotation stuff. Sheffield isn’t going to come up to the majors and start blowing hitters away with his dominant array of pitches. What he can do, however, is pitch effectively and get hitters out consistently enough to profile as a league average starter. That could be enough to push the Yankees over the top in October.

Home/New York Yankees