Yankees Rumors: Brian Cashman may sign another starting pitcher

With pitchers and catchers set to report to Tampa, FLA on Feb. 13, reports suggest that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman may be in the market to sign one more starting pitcher for insurance purposes.

Although the Yankees starting rotation looks set to begin the 2019 season, general manager Brian Cashman may very well be interested in signing one more viable arm, just in case of injury or underperformance.

Nick Carardo of the Boston Globe reported on Saturday, that despite re-signing J.A. Happ and C.C. Sabathia, in addition to trading for James Paxton — Cashman is further looking to bolster his starting options.

"After trading Sonny Gray to the Reds, there’s a possibility the Yankees could pick off one of the remaining free agent starters.It likely won’t be Keuchel, but are Gio Gonzalez or Ervin Santana possibilities for that fifth spot? Certainly the spot is being reserved for CC Sabathia, but it would be risky for the Yankees to go into the season relying on Sabathia, who had a stent inserted during a heart operation in December.More from Yankees Rumors4 blockbuster trade targets that could be Yankees next ‘big’ moveMLB Network Radio host thinks Yankees should shell out for Dansby SwansonDid wild Max Fried trade rumor give Yankees perfect fallback plan?Yankees’ reported backup plan if Carlos Rodón falls through will crush Red Sox5 former All-Stars Yankees can still target this offseasonThe Yankees hate finishing behind the Red Sox in the standings and getting beaten by them in the ALDS. The Yankees won 100 games and left the tournament too soon, so they are trying to close the gap with the Red Sox."

Surprisingly, Dallas Keuchel, who earlier in the offseason said he’d be willing to shave off his beard for a chance to play in the Bronx, is still a free agent. And while the belief is that Keuchel’s market value remains high ($22.3M), perhaps at this stage in the winter, he’d have a change of heart regarding money and years.

The only issue with signing a player of Keuchel’s talent is that it would undoubtedly cost Sabathia his place in the rotation. Now that Sabathia has been deemed healthy enough to resume baseball activities following a procedure to his heart, I don’t see the Yankees moving their warrior to the bullpen — nor do I see him willing to accommodate such a move.

Should the big fella struggle in this, his final major league season, then perhaps he would be amenable once Jordan Montgomery returns later this summer — or top prospect Jonathan Loaisiga proves ready for his second big league opportunity.

Until then, other traditional starters that remain out of work that may be open to the idea of playing the waiting game for the Yanks — and beginning the season as a long reliever out of the bullpen include lefties Gio Gonzalez, Wade Miley and Francisco Liriano, in addition to right-handers such as Ervin Santana, Jeremy Hellickson and Chris Tillman.

None of these guys are going to light the stage on fire, but they would likely come with a reasonable one-year price tag, and the added insurance Cashman is looking for.