Yankees: 3 players who've likely played their last game in New York

Yankees: 3 players who’ve likely played their last game in New York

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Catcher Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees visits Starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees on the mound in the bottom of the first inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 08, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

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James Paxton #65 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

2. James Paxton

If the Yankees can’t afford Masahiro Tanaka, then they won’t pursue James Paxton.

If James Paxton is willing to accept the qualifying offer, then he may accidentally find himself a Yankee again after what was mostly a lost season.

However, as the dollar value of that offer rises and the Yankees grow stingier, will they even extend such an olive branch? Especially considering no one can guarantee Paxton won’t need Tommy John surgery in the not-so-distant future.

Paxton’s numbers have always been fantastic, yet also abbreviated. He’s never posted an ERA over 4.00 in a full season, but also has never made more than 29 starts in a season — that was 2019 with the Yankees, and even the most diehard fan can admit that he wasn’t at his best during that campaign.

It was always assumed that Paxton, following what was supposed to be a big year in 2020, would leave for a higher dollar value on the one large free agent contract of his career. Now, it seems more likely the Yankees will pass on him, considering even a mid-range expenditure could be too big a risk based on his health outlook. Sad, but true.

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