Yankees Rumors: Does signing Yu Darvish make sense?

The Yankees are exploring yet another starting pitcher this offseason, as they reportedly have interest in Yu Darvish, per Jon Heyman.

So far, the Yankees have pursued pitchers such as Gerrit Cole, Michael Fulmer, Chris Archer and Patrick Corbin in efforts to acquire another starting pitcher to bolster the rotation.

With Archer and Fulmer’s offers rejected and the other two transactions making no progress, Darvish seems to be next in line to be examined by Brian Cashman.

Is Darvish the answer to make New York a legitimate World Series contender?

The 31-year-old veteran has had an exceptional MLB career up to this point

He owns a 56-42 record with a 3.42 ERA, striking out over 1,000 hitters in only 832.1 innings. He has always been known as a high strikeout, low walk pitcher.

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His career 3.30 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and 126 Adjusted ERA+ shows that he has been even better than what is advertised on a traditional box score.

Darvish has run into some trouble over the past several seasons, however. Before 2017, he had not pitched a full season since 2013. Elbow inflammation eventually led to Tommy John Surgery that caused him to miss all of the 2015 season and parts of 2014 and 2016.

This past season, Darvish had a troubling start with the Rangers but was able to significantly increase his free agent stock after being traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline.

After starting the season with a 6-9 record and a 4.01 ERA, he finished out the regular season with a 4-3 record and a 3.44 ERA, posting 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

In the Postseason, Darvish was rolling through the NLDS and NLCS, winning both games he started — giving up two runs in 11.1 innings.

The World Series was a different story. He lasted only 3.1 innings in two starts, giving up eight runs. Reports have come out that he was tipping pitches, but the performance was atrocious nonetheless.

Given all of this, Darvish is not the player the Yankees should go after

He may seem like an enticing player to add due to his track record of success, but there is no reason to improve an already strong starting rotation.

The Yankees have other issues they need to address before committing to the huge contract that Darvish wants. Speaking of that, he is looking for at least a 5-year, $150+ million contract.

New York does not need to be locked into a pitcher for the next five years who is entering their mid-30’s. Especially with players like Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield approaching the Majors soon. These prospects deserve their shot before the Yankees sign a pitcher like Darvish.

Adding him would likely push Jordan Montgomery out of the rotation and back to Triple-A. There is no need for him to stay in the minors for another year. He and Darvish essentially had the same ERA last year (3.88 vs. 3.86). Monty also posted a winning record, which Darvish did not.

Montgomery has already proven himself and is much less of a risk to take than Darvish. The Yankees could get one, maybe two good seasons out of Yu before he starts to enter his decline. At 24-years-old, Monty has several years before he even enters his prime.

Darvish merely is too expensive of a risk

There are no guarantees that Darvish doesn’t reinjure himself, and the Yanks can put the money they would spend on him to better use. Third base and second base are holes that need to be filled at the moment.

Also, if the Yankees have any plans of making a splash in 2018 free agency, they need to save money now.

Darvish would be an excellent addition to a Yankees’ team that is a few pieces short of a dynasty. However, due to his age and the duration of the contract that he is seeking, it does not make sense for New York to sign him.

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No matter how great the statistics look, the price is not right. Darvish is a luxury that the Yankees do not need.