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3 free agents to target and 2 trades the Yankees can make for a starter

By Rucker Haringey

MIAMI, FL - JULY 29: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 29: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Sign Gio Gonzalez

Gonzalez struggled mightily for the Nationals last year, but his season turned around in a big way once he was dealt to the Brewers during a playoff push. In five big starts for Milwaukee, he posted an ERA of just 2.13. He didn’t go deep into games, but he proved to be really effective his first two times through the lineup.

Betting on a 33-year-old isn’t Cashman’s dream scenario, but Gonzalez could turn out to pay big dividends as a swing starter. Even in what was one of the worst seasons of his career, Gonzalez ate up 171 innings with an ERA of 4.21. The Yankees would certainly want to see better production, but the lefty’s career ERA of 3.69 might be more indicative of what he’s likely to produce in 2019.

Gonzalez is also a free agent which makes him attractive to the Yankees. He may try to cash out with one more multi-year contract while he still can, but if he is forced to choose between one-year offers, the Yankees may choose to enter the fray.

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