Yankees Could Look to Arizona in Search for Starting Pitching Help

Sep 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Archie Bradley (25) throws to the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Despite their 2016 struggles, the Arizona Diamondbacks starting rotation features several enticing trade targets for the New York Yankees.

A fire sale could be on the horizon for the Arizona Diamondbacks, with the news that the club would be firing their manager, general manager, and VP, as well as taking president of baseball operations duties away from Tony LaRussa. If the new front office decides to rebuild, the New York Yankees could kick the tires on some of Arizona’s talented starting pitchers.

It is no secret that the Yankees are expected to shop for controllable young starters this winter. The future of their rotation was uncertain even before losing Nathan Eovaldi to TJ surgery next year. Their farm system is extremely deep in quality position players, so it seems likely they will use that depth to shore up their questionable pitching staff at some point soon.

The Snakes rotation was a disappointment in 2016 despite the presence of some big names. The unit combined to earn just eight wins above replacement according to FanGraphs, which ranked 21st in MLB, while pitching to a 5.19 ERA which was the second-worst in all of baseball.

All of the Diamondbacks expected four best starters wildly under-performed expectations in 2016, but their track records and pedigree could make them interested buy-low candidates for the Yankees. Here’s a look at how interested New York might be in acquiring each one:

Despite their 2016 struggles, the Arizona Diamondbacks starting rotation features several enticing trade targets for the New York Yankees.

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