5 pitchers the Yankees will target after missing out on Patrick Corbin

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 06: Carlos Carrasco #59 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after being taken out of the game against the Houston Astros during Game Two of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 18: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday September 18, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

1. J.A. Happ

Frequently, the most obvious solution is the right one. That may very well apply to Happy and the Yankees. Re-signing a guy you acquired at the deadline isn’t the sexiest transaction of the winter, but it might be the most effective for the Yankees.

Don’t be distracted by his inability to beat the Red Sox in his ALDS start, Happ was excellent down the stretch for New York. He won 7 of his 11 starts for the Yankees with an ERA of just 2.69. He was arguably the ace of the staff as Boone’s team tried to lock down their Wild Card berth in September.

There are some reasons to think his effectiveness was a bit of a fluke though. For example, his FIP as a Yankee was 4.21. In other words, it’s very likely Happ’s ERA moving forward is going to be closer to 4 than 3. That doesn’t mean he can’t help the Yankees, but it does mean he’s not going deserve a spot at the top of the team’s rotation.

Next. Yankees should trade Miguel Andujar for one of these five aces. dark

The biggest question about Happ isn’t performance based though. Instead, it’s contractual. The Yankees are not going to offer a long-term deal to a pitcher who will be 37 next season. If Happ is willing to accept a two or three-year contract he’s got a solid chance of returning to the Bronx. If he isn’t, look for Cashman to move for someone else on this list.

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