Fansided

5 starters Yankees need to sign to round out the rotation

By Rucker Haringey

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros reacts in the third inning as a play is reviewed against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros reacts in the third inning as a play is reviewed against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 10: Starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Washington Nationals delivers the ball against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 10, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 10: Starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Washington Nationals delivers the ball against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 10, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

4. Jeremy Hellickson

Hellickson bounced back from a disastrous 2017 season to post really respectable numbers for the Nationals in 2018. He ended the season on the disabled list with a troublesome wrist injury, but he’s a guy who could offer the Yankees real upside next season.

He only threw 91.1 innings last year in 19 starts but he posted a very respectable ERA of just 3.45. Any team in MLB would be more than happy to accept that kind of performance from a pitcher at the back-end of their rotation.

The reason Hellickson is still unsigned is clearly concern over his health. He’s never been a really durable pitcher throughout his career. That’s not something the Yankees need to be overly concerned with when it comes to their sixth starter. Ideally, he won’t be expected to throw anywhere close to 100 innings on the campaign.

At 31 years of age, Hellickson also isn’t a guy who should be experiencing age-related regression. He’s still in the prime of his pitching career. Cashman should certainly check his medicals to see if he can help the Yankees as a sixth starter/swing guy out of the bullpen. Signing Hellickson would really protect New York against a disastrous year from CC Sabathia.

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