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Yankees: 3 Rockies NYY should plunder after Nolan Arenado trade

By Adam Weinrib

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 1: Third baseman Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies and starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #31 of the Colorado Rockies meet at the pitcher's mound during a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Rockies won the game 6-3. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 1: Third baseman Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies and starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #31 of the Colorado Rockies meet at the pitcher's mound during a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Rockies won the game 6-3. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on September 27, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

1. Kyle Freeland

The Yankees could now get Kyle Freeland at a TRUE discount.

We’ve been advocating for the Yankees to take a chance on Kyle Freeland for a while now.

Marquez? Well, he still might be an unreasonable target even after Arenado’s departure.

But Freeland? Yeah, why not? Why would the Rockies hold onto a regressing mid-rotation option who certainly won’t be around the next time this is a playoff-level roster?

Freeland was the real ace of the 2018 season in which Marquez also starred. He got the Wild Card Game in Chicago. He finished fourth in the Cy Young race. He posted a 2.85 ERA in his age-25 season for his hometown team. Since then? A 6.75 ERA in his crash-to-earth 2019 season, followed by a solid return to form with a 4.33 ERA in the 60-game campaign.

Freeland’s ceiling is far lower than it was when he wrapped up 2018, but remember, the Yankees do have enough rotation now. They’re simply adding padding at this point. And if you believe that the true Freeland is somewhere between 2018 and ’19 (otherwise known as his 2020 form, which you probably didn’t watch), he’s a worthwhile bargain who the Rockies have no reason to hold onto through 2023.

Alexander Vizcaino and Mike Ford for Freeland? Clear those roster spots, Hal. We’ve got another wild card to add to the rotation.

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