Fansided

5 under-the-radar free agents the Yankees should target this winter

By Rucker Haringey

BRONX, NY - OCTOBER 17: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees watches batting practice as General Manager Brian Cashman looks on prior to Game 4 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, October 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY - OCTOBER 17: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees watches batting practice as General Manager Brian Cashman looks on prior to Game 4 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, October 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 07: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning of game three of the American League Division Series at Target Field on October 07, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 07: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning of game three of the American League Division Series at Target Field on October 07, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1. Jake Odorizzi

Odorizzi represents the top of the “non-Ace” market for starting pitchers this winter. The Yankees wouldn’t acquire him to be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter, but he could be an above-average option as high as the No. 3 spot in the rotation.

His durability is an extremely attractive quality for a team that didn’t have much of it in the starting rotation last season. Odorizzi has thrown at least 143 innings in every season since breaking into the Rays’ rotation back in 2014. Last year’s total of 159 with an ERA of 3.51 would have arguably made him the Yankees’ ace based on regular season results.

Next. 5 big trades the Yankees can make this winter. dark

The question with Odorizzi will likely come down to cost. Keith Law of ESPN.com speculates he could be in a position to ink a four-year, $80 million deal in the offseason. That’s only going to happen in New York if they strike out on Cole and Strasburg. The timing of those decisions could prove problematic for Cashman and his front office.

There’s zero question that Odorizzi can give the Yankees a big boost. If Cashman misses out on the aces available in the market, look for him to zero in on the former Twins star very quickly. He wouldn’t necessarily win the press conference, but he could win 20 games for the Yankees in 2020.

Home/New York Yankees