Yankees: Five moves the team should make without blinking

Rotate The Rotation

The Yankees have been more than pleased with the development this year of Luis Severino. Formerly an enigma that no one could figure out, it’s said that Hall of Famer, Pedro Martinez, much to the chagrin of Red Sox fans, took Severino under his wings over the winter and a transformation has taken place.

Severino, in 13 starts this season, has a record of 5-2 with a sparkling ERA of 2.99 in a DH league, and he’s struck out 90 batters while walking only 22 in 81 innings pitched.

But more than the numbers, Severino’s body language on the mound tells a different story from previous seasons, when more often than not, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

Moreover, Severino has been most often mentioned as the Yankees ace of the future. So, if that’s the case, why not install him there now? It would be another boost to his confidence and solidify the team’s belief in his ability.

Following that, Jordan Montgomery, at least in CC Sabathia‘s absence, needs to be moved into the number two hole as the lefty preceding Michael Pineda. Montgomery has done nothing to warrant not promoting him, and Girardi, by doing so, will merely be accenting a decision he made back in March to appoint Montgomery as the fifth starter in the first place.

From there, Girardi has a choice between Tanaka and a host of others who include Luis Cessa, Chance Adams, Adam Warren (when he returns from the DL), Brian Mitchell, Justus Sheffield, and a host of others to fill out the remaining two spots in the rotation.

Making the moves soon, though, is the key as the opportune time to juggle the rotation will be during the upcoming All-Star break when the entire staff has multiple days off.