5 bold predictions for the Yankees in MLB free agency

2. New York won’t sign a big-name starting pitcher

Yankees fans dreaming of a rotation anchored by Cole and Trevor Bauer need to wake up. Bauer will not be taking his talent to the Bronx next season. The combination of his exorbitant price tag and outspoken nature makes him a poor fit for the Yankees.

After Bauer, the options available via free agency just aren’t all that inspiring. Someone like Jake Odorizzi could make sense as a veteran stopgap for New York, but his market looks to be exceeding the team’s valuation. The Yankees just don’t see value at the top of the free agency market for starting pitchers this offseason.

If the team does acquire a relative big-name ahead of next season it’s likely going to come via trade. Lance Lynn continues to profile as a pitcher who could really help the Yankees in the short-term without really harming their war chest of young talent. Even if Lynn doesn’t come back to New York, someone like him should shake loose for Cashman on the trade market.

It’s also possible that the Yankees will just head into the regular-season with their current in-house options. That will heap pressure on youngsters like Deivi Garcia and Clarke Schmidt, but it wouldn’t stop the team from adding a veteran ahead of the trade deadline. The starting rotation the Yankees employ on Opening Day won’t necessarily be the group they go with when the postseason begins.