Yankees need to add Mike Minor or Tony Watson this offseason

The only lefty reliever currently on the Yankees roster outside of Aroldis Chapman is Chasen Shreve. Which is why GM Brian Cashman should target free agents Mike Minor or Tony Watson.

The Yankees don’t have a whole bunch of glaring holes to fill this winter.

Obviously, we’d love to see the organization secure the services of Japanese Babe Ruth, Shohei Otani. And perhaps shed the overpriced contracts of Jacoby Ellsbury and Starlin Castro.

But outside of Otani-palooza, the Yanks’ biggest priority this winter should be adding a veteran left-handed stopper to the already robust bullpen.

With Jordan Montgomery currently slotted as the No. 5 starter, failed acquisition, Jaime Garcia, set to hit free agency, and the recent trade of Caleb Smith to the Marlins, the only southpaw out of the ‘pen not named Aroldis Chapman is Chasen Shreve.

Shreve, who spent parts on 2017 at Triple-A Scranton, compiled a 4-1 record and 3.77 ERA in 45.1 innings pitched at the big league level.

The lanky lefty struck out 58 batters (11.8 K/9) as opposed to just 25 walks. Although his 1.34 WHIP wasn’t great, in 22 innings on the road, Shreve’s ERA did drop to 2.77.

Much of Shreve’s issues occurred in the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium, where his ERA ballooned to 5.12 and WHIP of 1.55.

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The 27-year-old is a split-finger/fastball combination hurler, which is why if he doesn’t keep the ball down in the zone, bad things happen. He’ll need to tighten up his command in time for spring if he wishes to make the opening day roster.

As much as I love Justus Sheffield’s makeup, the kid is still only 21-years-old and needs a full season at Triple-A Scranton to iron out his secondary pitches. Besides, it’s still the organization’s belief that Sheffield is destined to become a starter.

The two best options via free agency (in my opinion), are Mike Minor and Tony Watson.

After missing all of 2015 and 2016 due to shoulder and rotator cuff injuries, Minor shined for the Royals this past season.

In 77 innings pitched, the 29-year-old former Atlanta Braves prospect posted a 2.55 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and struck out 88 batters as opposed to walking just 22.

The former starter racked up 17 holds and six saves while holding left-handed hitters to a minuscule .163 batting average and no home runs.

I understand Minor comes with a lengthy medical report, but offering him a 3-year, $15 million deal is worth the risk for what he brings to the table.

Then there’s Tony Watson, whom the Dodgers acquired from the Pirates on July 31.

While it’s entirely possible Watson stays in LA, he’ll likely look for a pay raise from the $5.6 million he made last year, especially if he has aspirations of signing as a closer. After all, Watson has 30 career saves.

Next: Yanks get more money for Ohtani

Though his overall 2017 numbers (3.38 ERA, 1.380 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB ratio) weren’t as good as the time he spent in Pittsburgh (2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and .230 left-handed opposition batting average), Watson is a durable stopper out of the ‘pen who can traditionally be relied upon in big spots.

The only lefty reliever currently on the Yankees roster outside of Aroldis Chapman is Chasen Shreve. Which is why GM Brian Cashman should target free agents Mike Minor or Tony Watson.

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