Yankees Rumors: Background work on Patrick Corbin being done

Even after re-signing CC Sabathia, the Yankees are still on the hunt for one more starting pitcher. And with escalating costs, Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks may be the most likely addition.

The Yankees have interest in adding one more starting pitcher this winter — this much we know. Who exactly that arm belongs to is another story altogether.

While most fans seem to have thrown their support behind right-hander Gerrit Cole of the Pirates, he’ll likely cost the same amount in a trade as Michael Fulmer of the Tigers.

This truth leads me to the belief that the Yanks will eventually swing a deal with the Diamondbacks for 28-year-old lefty Patrick Corbin.

I lean this way because of two very important reasons.

The first is directly related to what general manager Brian Cashman would have to surrender in a trade. As Buster Olney reported on Monday, the Yankees are executing their due diligence on Corbin — compiling scouting reports and carefully examining his background (he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014).

Because Corbin will become a free agent after the 2018 season, his value is currently plateaued. Should he remain with the D’backs up until the July 31 trade deadline, and pitches similarly to how he did during his final 21 appearances of 2017, resulting in a 3.28 ERA and a slew of ground ball outs, the D’backs’ asking price will likely increase.

Unlike the Pirates, who are asking for a combination of top prospects like Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar and/or Chance Adams, the D’backs would need to pick a prospect outside of the Yanks’ top 10, maybe even top 20 — depending on the deal expanding to include utility player Brandon Drury.

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Depending on what the Yanks are required to surrender, and Corbin’s overall success in pinstripes, the club can then decide to extend a contract extension towards the end of the season or just let him walk like they recently did with Jaime Garcia.

The other deciding factor that seems to be getting lost in the shuffle, is what happens to Jordan Montgomery when/if the Yankees acquire a legitimate starter?

Obviously, you can never have enough starting pitching, but the idea of going with a six-man rotation isn’t going to happen. This would result in Montgomery either moving to the bullpen as a swingman or back down to Triple-A. Talk about a blow to his confidence.

Having tossed 155.1 mostly quality innings in 2017, you would think the 24-year-old is ready for the next step in the evolution of his career. However, acquiring a Cole, Fulmer or Chris Archer would very much put Monty on the back burner until at least 2019, when Sabathia’s contract expires. It would also take the only left-hander out of the rotation.

I understand question marks surround CC’s knees, Masahiro Tanaka’s right elbow and Sonny Gray’s everything, but planning for injuries is counterproductive. Yes, you need to have backup plans, but you never really want to invoke them.

Next: Yankees rumor: Todd Frazier staying put?

Adding Corbin, who will likely see a slight raise from the $3.95 million he made last season, allows for a less stringent plan that excludes Monty for the time being. With players like Cole and Fulmer, you expect more regarding both production and prohibitive costs. Let’s not throw Monty out with the bath water. Add Corbin and take it one day at a time.