Yankees: In search of their next great starting pitcher

Outside options

Dallas Kuechel: 1-3 with a 3.10 ERA and 25:12 K:BB ratio in 29 innings.

Patrick Corbin: 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA and 36:5 K:BB ratio in 27.1 innings.

Michael Fulmer: 1-2 with a 3.47 ERA and 13:6 K:BB ratio in 23.1 innings.

As you can see, I didn’t mention Clayton Kershaw — one, because that means he would need to opt-out of the remaining two years, $70.1 million remaining on his current deal. And two, even if he does, I don’t see Kershaw actually leaving the Dodgers.

Doing so would forever alter his Sandy Koufax-like legacy — and besides, who is going to pay a 30-year-old with an increasing back issue $300 million? The Dodgers, that’s who.

With the Astros’ offseason acquisition of Gerrit Cole, Dallas Keuchel has been bumped down to No. 3 in the pecking order (Justin Verlander is the clear No. 1). However, Keuchel likely expects to be paid like a No. 1 this winter.

Keuchel rebounded nicely in 2017, following his surprising 9-12, 4.55 ERA campaign the season prior. The thing that has yet to be answered about Keuchel, though, is if he will ever regain the type of form that earned him the 2015 AL Cy Young Award?

Certainly, that left-handed shooter is deserving of a $120 million-plus deal.

Keuchel was up and down during the Postseason last year and has done little get out of the gate with positive affirmation this April.

With CC Sabathia expected to move on after the 2018 season, adding Keuchel at a reasonable price would offer the Yankees two robust, yet considerably different left-handers in the starting rotation (Monty being the other).

Of course, no one is saying the Astros won’t re-sign Keuchel, especially if they get wind of any Yankee interest. Only time will tell.