Yankees: Latest Jameson Taillon update proves pitching depth will be paramount

Were you wondering why the New York Yankees signed guys like Jhoulys Chacin and Asher Wojciechowski and have refused to let go of Domingo German despite the controversy?

It’s because starting pitching depth will be of the utmost importance in 2021. Is it ever not? The Bombers have learned that the hard way for the last four seasons.

But it’s even more magnified this year despite the additions of Jameson Taillon and Corey Kluber. Why? Because despite their level of talent, they’ve hardly pitched since the start of 2019.

Throw in the complications surrounding pitchers after the shortened 2020, and it makes the issue even more pressing.

Even those who didn’t endure injury troubles will need to be stretched out and closely monitored after pitchers resumed throwing last February, then stopped when spring training was canceled in mid-March, then started back up again when summer camp resumed in July. Not exactly ideal.

Here’s what Taillon said about his potential restrictions in 2021, via Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, which made it clear the team’s pitching depth will be paramount.

“I thought originally 120 to 150 [innings], but that being said, I’m kind of on board with the idea of, let’s just see how I’m feeling and measure it throughout the year.”

Manager Aaron Boone also said that Taillon and Kluber would not be pitching 200 innings each, which is further confirmation of what we already knew. But the fact that Taillon’s meter could be as low as 120 innings means having guys who can step in and deliver a start every so often will be key to sustaining the rotation. Either that, or going with a six-man rotation and having Gerrit Cole continue on regular rest would likely be sufficient answers.

Additionally, the Yankees will be getting looks at German, Michael King, Jonathan Loaisiga, Deivi Garcia, Albert Abreu and Nick Nelson to determine if any or all of them are capable of slotting into the rotation, or at least opening games, for the upcoming campaign.

While this isn’t anything we necessary didn’t know, it’s certainly comforting to have the confirmation and understand what we’re looking at with the season just a month away.

Yankees: Imagining a six-man starting pitching rotation for 2021

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