As Opening Day draws near, the New York Yankees find themselves facing a significant obstacle. Their ace pitcher, Gerrit Cole, has been placed on the injured list due to a right elbow issue. Although an MRI confirmed that his UCL (a ligament essential for throwing) is intact, the extent of the injury remains uncertain. Cole is currently seeking advice from the renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and to establish a projected timeline for his return to the mound.
This unexpected setback has prompted the Yankees to explore the starting pitcher market. Reports indicate that they have resumed discussions with the Chicago White Sox regarding Dylan Cease, a highly sought-after pitcher. However, the Yankees’ attempt to acquire Cease without parting with their prized prospect, Spencer Jones, was unsuccessful.
Ultimately, the White Sox traded Cease to the San Diego Padres in exchange for a package centered around Drew Thorpe, a young pitcher the Yankees had acquired earlier in the offseason as part of the Juan Soto trade. Ironically, the Padres utilized a player they obtained from the Yankees to secure the starting pitcher the Yankees themselves coveted.
Finding themselves back at square one, the Yankees must now formulate a new strategy. Here are two potential options they could consider before the season opener:
Yankees may consider Lorenzen as a cost-effective rotation fix
As Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury sidelines him, the New York Yankees are actively searching for a starting pitcher to fill the gap in their rotation. However, their pursuit is complicated by the impending luxury tax, which imposes a hefty 110% penalty on any contracts that exceed their payroll threshold. This makes the acquisition of high-priced pitchers like Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery a less desirable option for the team.
However, the free-agent market may provide a potential solution in the form of Michael Lorenzen.
Lorenzen began his 2023 season with the Detroit Tigers in impressive fashion, posting a remarkable 3.58 ERA, a WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched) of 1.098, and striking out an impressive 83 batters over 105.2 innings. This strong performance earned him his first All-Star selection and established him as a valuable trade asset for the Tigers. As a result, he was later traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Although Lorenzen’s performance experienced a slight dip with the Phillies, particularly after struggling in his initial starts before transitioning to relief duties, he did make a memorable impact by throwing a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals in his first home appearance for the team.
According to reports from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Lorenzen is seeking a two-year contract this offseason. Given the Yankees’ reluctance to surpass the luxury tax threshold, Lorenzen emerges as a viable and potentially cost-effective option for them to strengthen their starting rotation.
Could Shane Bieber be on the Yankees’ mound?
A potentially more strategic option for the team could be to pursue Shane Bieber, who currently pitches for the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility before becoming a free agent next winter, which means his salary is significantly lower compared to the top free-agent pitchers. This could be a financially attractive option for the Yankees.
Interestingly, there is a pre-existing connection between Bieber and the Yankees’ pitching coach, Matt Blake. Prior to joining the Yankees in 2020, Blake served as the minor league pitching coordinator for the Cleveland Guardians in 2016. During that time, he worked closely with Bieber, who went on to win the American League Cy Young Award in 2020.
In the previous season with Cleveland, Bieber posted a 3.80 ERA, a 1.234 WHIP, and a 6-6 record with 107 strikeouts over 128 innings (21 starts). Although his performance was affected by mid-season right elbow inflammation, his talent and past accomplishments cannot be overlooked.
This season carries immense importance for the Yankees. By acquiring Juan Soto as a rental player, they have emphasized their determination to secure a World Series victory. Their ultimate goal is to capture a 28th championship trophy, and anything less might be considered a disappointment. Given the urgency of their situation, acquiring Shane Bieber could be their most promising move to fill the void left by Cole, especially after missing out on Dylan Cease. Bieber provides a combination of talent, affordability, and a pre-existing connection with the Yankees’ pitching coach, potentially making him the perfect solution for the team.
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