Fansided

Projecting the Yankees’ 2021 starting rotation

By Rucker Haringey

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Five of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 09, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Five of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 09, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Deivi Garcia, New York Yankees
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 15: Deivi Garcia #83 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 15, 2020 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

4. Deivi Garcia

Garcia is a solid bet to slot somewhere inside the Yankees’ starting rotation this year. The real question is where he might land. The organization doesn’t want to put too much pressure on him during his first full season in the bigs.

That’s why allowing him to fly under-the-radar as the team’s No. 4 starter makes so much sense. Remember, he flashed above-average stuff last season, but his overall numbers were still pedestrian. It will be a major disappointment if he pitches to a 4.98 ERA again in 2021.

There should also be concerns over whether or not he can handle the innings required to be a starter for the full campaign. He only completed 34.1 frames a season ago. Expecting him to suddenly become a 200-innings pitched workhorse would represent front office malpractice by the Yankees.

Instead, look for New York’s front office to tread very lightly with Garcia’s pitch counts all season long. That’s another reason why he won’t play a more prominent role in this season’s starting rotation. The Yankees might hope Garcia slots higher in their postseason rotation, but treating him with caution during the regular season is the prudent path forward for the young hurler.

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