Yankees offseason could change with Domingo German suspension

After being placed on administrative leave following allegations of domestic violence on Sept. 19, Domingo German missed the final nine games of the Yankees regular season and nine more contests in the postseason.

According to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, MLB is close to finalizing their investigation into the alleged domestic abuse perpetrated by Yankees pitcher Domingo German against the mother of his children, Mara Vega, on the evening of Sept 16.

Without the presence of a police report being filed with the NYPD, the case against German is different than Aroldis Chapman, who was suspended in 2016 for 30 games or Roberto Osuna, who was barred for 75 games in 2018.

Considering a third-party brought forth the allegation, MLB has taken its time to investigate potential eye-witnesses, while waiting to speak with German, himself, formally.

Although German was quickly placed on leave, he was still paid a portion of his $578k salary — something that isn’t traditionally done when a player goes on leave.

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How long, if at all, that German is suspended for the 2020 season remains to be seen. Therefore, besides from altering the clubs’ plan to implement German as its fourth starter during the playoffs, a suspension similar to Osuna’s would further change their offseason plan regarding free-agent pitchers.

After going a Yankees-best 18-4 in 2019, German exceeded all expectations with his 4.03 ERA, 1.147 WHIP and 153:39 K:BB ratio across a career-high 143 innings. Entering his age-27 season, German has yet to enter his physical prime and would be penciled into the middle of the Yankee staff.

However, depending on the outcome of MLB’s findings, the Yanks — who are historically known for giving players second and third chances — will need to weigh any potential fan backlash versus the rehab of their employee.

The potential loss of German, waning trust in J.A. Happ, the continued development of Jordan Montgomery and the unknown commodities that are prospects Jonathan Loaisiga and Deivi Garcia, could force the Yankees to sign two starting pitchers this offseason if they wish to not only return to the ALCS but ascend to World Series champions.