Yankees: 3 extremely cheap bullpen targets as Spring Training approaches

2. Brad Peacock

The Yankees could poach Brad Peacock following a shoulder injury.

Once thought to be a shoo-in to have thrown his last pitch in Houston following a shoulder issue in 2020, Astros fans are starting to get the idea that they could be contenders for Brad Peacock’s services again this offseason, as his market has yet to materialize.

Don’t let them think that!

Peacock would serve the Yankees in two ways, as both a potential lockdown high-leverage relief option and as another dart for the team to aim at the rotation dartboard. The 33-year-old righty made 15 starts in 2019 and 21 in 2017, with a one-start season sandwiched in between (why?). With Jameson Taillon and Corey Kluber both nursing innings limits, in addition to everyone in last year’s rotation, who saw their typical throwing plans blown up by the weirdness of a 60-game season, it’s hardly inconceivable that Peacock could help out there, too.

Peacock was a playoff mainstay in Houston in both ’17 and ’19, allowing three hits in five appearances across the ALCS and World Series most recently. In the 2017 World Series against the juggernaut Dodgers, he used his impressive bender to log 7.1 innings pitched, allowing four hits and two earned runs across four games.

With little-to-no 2020 data to back him up, Peacock’s case to be a contender’s fungible reliever is flimsier than most. But for $1 million or so, the Yankees could take a chance on this Swiss Army knife.

Of course, it could turn to dust like the Red Sox pursuit of another injured Astro last winter in Collin McHugh.