MLB news: Projecting the Yankees' 2021 starting rotation

Projecting the Yankees’ 2021 starting rotation

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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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 15: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of game one of a doubleheader at Target Field on August 15, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Jake Odorizzi

Filling the spot just behind Cole in the rotation is arguably the Yankees’ biggest offseason challenge. Fans will clamor for New York to spend big on a guy like Trevor Bauer. He is likely far outside the team’s price range.

That leaves Cashman with options like Odorizzi, Charlie Morton, and Kevin Gausman. There’s a strong chance Gausman will sign his qualifying offer. That leaves the Yankees with an intriguing choice between Odorizzi and Morton in free agency.

Morton is arguably the more established quantity, but his age will make the Yankees uncomfortable with paying a premium to sign him. Instead, Cashman will roll the dice on Odorizzi to bounce back from his disastrous 2020 campaign.

He was only to make four starts last season for the Twins due to a variety of injuries. That means any notice of his 6.59 ERA in 2020 should be severely discounted. The Yankees can comfortably assume his 2021 production will be much closer to his career ERA of 3.92.

Odorizzi may be an underwhelming choice to slot in just behind Cole, but he’s the best combination of production, upside, and value that will be available to the Yankees via free agency. Absent a big trade to fill this spot, Odorizzi represents the best realistic option available to Cashman and his front office.

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