The New York Yankees need to add to the starting rotation this offseason but that doesn’t mean they need to add another ace. New York already has Gerrit Cole on the roster and Carlos Rodón could return to form in 2024.
The Yankees need another depth piece to help bolster the rotation. One hurler who could make sense is former Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays hurler Hyun-jin Ryu, according to SNY’s Anthony McCarron. “Not every transaction has to be a blockbuster, you know,” McCarron said. “Maybe the Yanks can hit on a reclamation project pitcher. Is that as sexy as signing Yamamoto would’ve been? Heck, no. But teams can build rosters in so many ways.
“Here’s our list of favorites from the non-marquee names from the free agent pool:Hyun-jin Ryu, James Paxton, and Michael Lorenzen. Ryu, who only made 17 starts over the past two seasons because of injury, and Paxton, an oft-injured lefty, are risks. But they both have stuff upside. Lorenzen threw a no-hitter last year for the (Philadelphia Phillies) and had a 4.18 ERA over 29 games (25 starts) for the (Detroit Tigers) and Philadelphia.” Of this list, Ryu stands out as the most interesting player. He missed most of the 2023 season but logged a 3.46 ERA in 11 starts for Toronto. Ryu is a 10-year veteran and has a career 3.27 ERA over that stretch and one All-Star nod while he was a member of the Dodgers. He is the exact type of low-cost option with a high upside that the Yankees could use. New York always could look for another top option like Jordan Montgomery, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring in Ryu as well.
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