Yankees: The return of Luis Severino should be their biggest move at trade deadline

With the trade deadline approaching next month, rumors have begun to swirl on who could be dealt. Many believe that the Yankees only weakness this season has been the depth of their rotation. While some may suggest that Brian Cashman should trade for a frontline starter, the Yanks best acquisition is the return of a healthy Luis Severino.

By now, most Yankees fans know about the unfortunate and bizarre turn of events for ace Luis Severino this season.

The righty didn’t even throw a single pitch in Spring training before landing on the 10-day IL on March 28th with right shoulder rotator cuff inflammation. When Severino began throwing again on flat ground in early April, he experienced pain around his lat, later getting diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain. Severino was then placed on the 60-day IL on April 25 and still has yet to pitch a single inning in the Bronx.

While the 25-year old has been well-missed due to his extended absence, the Yankees starting rotation has actually faired quite well. Entering June 1st, Yankees’ starters have only surrendered 4.03 runs per game. That’s third best in the American League and fifth in all of Major League Baseball.

Through 58 games, the Yankees starting staff has combined for a 22-13 record with a 3.82 ERA (fourth best in AL, eighth in MLB) across 299.1. It would be an injustice not to mention how Domingo German has been nothing short of spectacular this season, in addition to James Paxton when he has been able to stay on the hill.

A lot of high-profile names have been rumored to be available via trade, some of which include Madison Bumgarner, Marcus Stroman, Trevor Bauer, Zack Greinke, Mike Minor, and although a long shot, Max Scherzer.

Yankees’ teams of the past would have shipped the entire farm to acquire one of these arms, and heck, maybe they will inquire. But personally, a healthy Luis Severino is just what the Yankees need to continue their recent success in the AL East and the rest of 2019.

Luis Severino’s 2018 season was a bit of a head-scratcher. In the first half, he was lights-out Sevy. He featured an electric fastball and a wipeout slider, just overpowering hitters. The second half was a different story as the righty clearly looked fatigued and tired, not having the same type of location on his pitches.

• First Half: 14-2, 20 GS, 128.1 IP, 2.31 ERA, 144 K, 34 R (33 ER), 10 HR, 97 H, .209 AVG
• Second Half: 5-6, 12 GS, 63.0 IP, 5.57 ERA, 76 K, 42 R (39 ER), 9 HR, 76 H, .291 AVG

Sevy just clearly didn’t have it in the second half. Although a smaller sample size, the righty allowed more runs, opponents had a higher batting average, and he possessed a bloated ERA. Severino also saw a large home run spike in the second half (.70 HR/9 IP in the first half, 1.29 HR/9 IP in the second half)

Additionally, Severino compiled 10.10 K/9 IP and only allowed 2.24 BB/9 IP in the first half. Although the 25-year clearly had a worse second half, he struck out more batters (10.86 K/9 IP) and walked fewer opponents (2.00 BB/9 IP).

Despite Sevy’s inconsistent 2018, we have to remember how lights-out he was in 2017. The right-hander finished 14-6 with a 2.98 ERA and 230 K, finishing third in the American League Cy Young voting. The Yankees already have an ace, they just need to be patient and give Sevy time to recover.

The latest news about Severino is that he has been throwing on flat ground with no pain. While encouraging, he still has a ways to go. You have to remember, Sevy hasn’t even had a Spring Training yet in 2019 and won’t return until after the All-Star break.

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Additionally, the Yankees prospect pool isn’t as deep as it once was. Estevan Florial is clearly the consensus top prospect in the organization, not to mention intriguing arms like Jonathan Loaisiga, Albert Abreu, Deivi Garcia, and Clarke Schmidt.

If the Yankees are hesitant to give up Florial (as they have in the past), one of these four pitchers probably won’t be enough to be a headliner for the starting pitchers mentioned earlier. I’m going under the assumption that Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar (although out for the season) are off the table as well.

I could be completely wrong and maybe Cashman goes out and acquires a big-name starting pitcher or signs free agent Dallas Keuchel within the next few days. It’s not necessarily a bad decision. The Yankees are in a win-now situation and can afford to make win-now moves.

But if they decide to hold back and give Severino the time he needs, in addition to how phenomenal the starting rotation has been in 2019, the Yankees could be set for a long run in October with the arms they have within the organization.