Spring training reporting day for Yankees pitchers and catchers is Feb. 14, five weeks from Wednesday.
By then, the Yankees surely will add a starting pitcher.
They have no choice.
They need a veteran, preferably one with a pedigree, with a rotation spot open since Michael King was dealt to the Padres in the Juan Soto deal last month.
All of the best available starters are on general manager Brian Cashman’s radar, especially free agent left-hander Blake Snell and on-the-block White Sox ace Dylan Cease.
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Whomever the Yankees get, whether it’s signing Snell so they have both reigning Cy Young winners or settling for a next-tier option such as Mike Clevinger, their rotation will be among the very best in the American League.
Already is.
That’s the opinion of a veteran MLB scout.
As is, the scout says, “The Yankees probably have the AL’s second-best rotation and it would be definite if they go out and get another formidable starter, somebody like Snell or Cease.”
Of course, the Yankees’ high ranking has Carlos Rodon as the No. 2 and there’s no telling yet if the left-hander will get hurt again or stink again in season two of his six-year, $162-million pact.
These early rotation rankings will change, of course, when the remaining free agents sign and if some or all of the three aces being shopped are moved – Corbin Burnes (Brewers), Shane Bieber (Guardians) and Cease.
Here are the current rotation depth charts for all 15 AL clubs with their offseason adds and subtractions plus comments from the scout, who had a 45-minute phone interview Tuesday with NJ Advance Media:
1. SEATTLE MARINERS
1. Luis Castillo, RHP (14-9, 3.34); 2. Logan Gilbert, RHP (13-7, 3.73); 3. George Kirby, RHP (13-10, 3.35); 4. Bryce Miller, RHP (8-7, 4.32); 5. Bryan Woo, RHP (4-5, 4.21).
Depth: Anthony DeSclafani, RHP; Emerson Hancock, RHP.
Losses: LHP Robbie Ray (traded to Giants).
Scout’s take: “The Mariners have a true ace at the top and their whole rotation is pretty good. Right now, it’s the best in the league on paper. All of them are strike throwers who pitch to their strengths. It starts with Castillo. When he’s on, he’s one of the best starters in the game. The problem with Seattle is you never know what (president of baseball operations) Jerry Dipoto is thinking. That rotation could have them in good shape standings wise, then all of a sudden Dipoto might start trading guys out of the blue to save money.”
2. NEW YORK YANKEES
1. Gerrit Cole, RHP (15-4, 2.63); 2. Carlos Rodon, LHP (3-8, 6.85); 3. Nestor Cortes, LHP (5-2, 4.97); 4. Clarke Schmidt, RHP (9-9, 4.64); 5. Luis Gil, RHP (IL).
Depth: Cody Morris, RHP; Yoendrys Gomez, RHP; Clayton Beeter, RHP; Will Warren, RHP.
Adds: Cody Morris, RHP (trade from Guardians).
Losses: Domingo German, RHP (FA); Frankie Montas (FA, signed with Reds; 1 year, $14M); Luis Severino, RHP (FA, signed with Mets; 1 year, $13M); Luke Weaver, RHP (FA).
Scout’s take: “If the Yankees go out and get a bona fide arm, it’s a pretty good rotation with Cole at the top. I think he’s better now that he was in Houston because the pitchability of his game has really climbed the ladder. Rodon might be the key to the Yankees’ season. If he’s just average instead of poor or injured like he was last year, it changes the look of the rotation because there will be some games where Rodon pitches like a No. 1. If Nester comes back healthy, we all know what he’s capable of throwing from different slots, speeding the ball up, slowing it down, pounding the strike zone. And he challenges guys. They’ve also got Schmidt in there and he grew up big-time in the second half last year. Schmidt learned to trust his stuff in the zone instead of nibbling.”
3. HOUSTON ASTROS
1. Justin Verlander, RHP (13-8, 3.22 with Mets and Astros); 2. Framber Valdez, LHP (12-11, 3.45); 3. Cristian Javier, RHP (10-5, 4.56); 4. Hunter Brown (11-13, 5.09); 5. J.P. France, RHP (11-6, 3.83).
Injuries: Luis Garcia, RHP (due to return in summer from Tommy John surgery: Lance McCullers Jr., RHP (due to return in summer from flexor tendon repair).
Scout’s take: “The Astros’ rotation is still dangerous and every pitcher they have is going to benefit because their offense is going to score a lot of runs. I don’t know if they can count on Verlander to stay healthy. He’s in his 40s now. I don’t know much Houston will get out of him. Valdez is one of the best starters in the league and Javier has a great arm, so that’s two really good ones in there. I kept hearing how Brown is supposed to be so good, but everytime I see him his stuff looks average to me. Houston got a lot last year out of France as a rookie. They’re probably thinking he’ll take another step forward and be better this year. They’re also getting Garcia back. That’s a good arm. Houston still has a rotation that you can win with in the regular season and playoffs.”
4. TORONTO BLUE JAYS
1. Kevin Gausman, RHP (12-9, 3.16); 2. Jose Berrios, RHP (11-12, 3.65); 3. Chris Bassitt, RHP (16-8, 3.60); 4. Yusei Kikucki, LHP (11-6, 3.86); 5. Alex Manoah, RHP (3-9, 5.87).
Losses: Hyun Jim Ryu, LHP (FA)
Scout’s take: “This is a good rotation. Gausman is a No. 1, Berrios and Bassitt usually give you a chance to win and Kikucki keeps you in the game. But they need Manoah to rebound. This guy was their ace two year ago and last year he was terrible. Even after he was sent to the minors, Manoah was so bad one time that he couldn’t even finish an inning. He was just way out of shape.”
5. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
1. Kyle Bradish, RHP (12-7, 2.83); 2. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP (7-4, 4.35); 3. John Means, LHP (1-2, 2.66); 4. Dean Kramer, RHP (13-5, 4.12); 5. Cole Irwin, LHP (1-4, 4.42).
Depth: Tyler Wells, RHP; DL Hall, LHP.
Losses: RHP Kyle Gibson, RHP (FA, signed with Cardinals); Jack Flaherty, RHP (FA, signed with Tigers).
Scout’s take: “The Orioles need a top-of-the-rotation arm and I think they’ll trade for Dylan Cease, but I like their rotation as is. It’s young, but all their guys are competitive and they throw strikes. Rodriguez has No. 1 starter talent. I like Bradish. Means can be really good when he’s healthy.”
6. TEXAS RANGERS
1. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP (12-5, 3.63); 2. Jon Gray, RHP (9-8, 4.12); 3. Andrew Heaney, LHP (10-6, 4.15); 4. Dane Dunning, RHP (12-7, 3.70); 5. Cody Bradford, RHP (4-3, 5.30).
Injuries: Max Scherzer, RHP (due back in summer from December 2023 herniated disc surgery; Jacob deGrom, RHP (due back in summer from June 2023 reconstructive elbow surgery; Tyler Mahle, RHP (due back in summer from May 2023 Tommy John surgery).
Adds: Tyler Mahle, RHP (FA).
Losses: Jordan Montgomery, LHP (FA); LHP Martin Perez, LHP (FA, signed with Pirates; 1 year, $8M)
Scout’s take: “I think the Rangers’ mindset has to be, ‘Let’s stay close until Scherzer, deGrom and Mahle come back’ If they get those guys back in August, they’ll be sitting pretty good to make another postseason run because those veterans all will be fresh. You know they’re going to score a bunch of runs with that offense. Their rotation still has guys that they can with in. Eovaldi can match up with anyone. Gray is a solid starter. Heaney keeps you in games. Dunning has a good arm. I still think the Rangers are going to add before spring training. You keep hearing Montgomery is going to re-sign there. I think that’s where he ends up. If not, it wouldn’t shock me if the Rangers are the team that trades for Cease.”
7. TAMPA BAY RAYS
1. Zach Eflin, RHP (16-8, 3.50); 2. Ryan Pepiot, RHP (2-1, 2.14 with Dodgers); 3. Aaron Civale, RHP (7-5, 3.46 with Guardians and Rays); 4. Zack Littell, RHP (3-6, 3.93); 5. Taj Bradley, RHP (5-8, 5.59).
Injuries: Shane Baz, RHP; Jeffrey Springs, LHP (due back in May or June from April 2023 Tommy John surgery); Drew Rasmussen, RHP (due back in summer from July 2023 elbow surgery); Shane McClanahan, LHP (August 2023 Tommy John surgery, out all season).
Adds: Ryan Pepiot, RHP (trade from Dodgers).
Losses: Tyler Glasnow, RHP (trade to Dodgers).
Scout’s take: “The Rays are going to fight until they can get their injured starters back. Even though they’re dumping salary like they always do, I think they can be a playoff team again. They still have enough offense and the pitching could be very good again by the middle of the season if Baz, Springs and Rasmussen come back. And that’s a great trade the Rays made getting Pepiot from LA for Glasnow. Pepiot has really good stuff. His fastball gets up to 98. He’s got a slider and a changeup that can be plus-plus. Pepiot and Eflin are a pretty good 1-2 punch.”
8. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
1. Shane Bieber, RHP (6-6, 3.80); 2. Triston McKenzie, RHP (0-3, 5.06); Gavin Williams, RHP (3-5, 3.29); 4. Tanner Bibee, RHP (10-4, 2.98); 5. Logan Allen, RHP (7-8, 3.81).
Depth: Ben Lively, RHP,
Adds: Ben Lively, RHP (FA; 1 year, $750,000).
Losses: Lucas Giolito, RHP (FA, signed with Red Sox; 2 years, $38.5M); Zach Plesac, RHP (FA, signed with Angels; 1 year, $1M).
Scout’s take: “Cleveland had three rookies last year that really opened eyes — Bibee, Allen and Williams. They all throw strikes. I like McKenzie a lot, too. But it’s going to be a little different for Cleveland this year because Terry Francona isn’t there managing. He knew how to use a bullpen. This is the first go-around for (rookie manager) Stephen Vogt. Even though he was a big-league catcher, we’re going to see how that transpires.”
9. DETROIT TIGERS
1. Tarik Skubal, LHP (7-3, 2.80); 2. Jack Flaherty, RHP (8-9, 4.99 with Cardinals and Orioles); 3. Kenta Maeda, RHP (6-8, 4.23 with Twins); 4. Matt Manning, RHP (5-4, 3.58); 5. Reese Olson, RHP (5-7, 3.99).
Adds: Jack Flaherty, RHP (FA; 1 year, $14M); Kenta Maeda, RHP (FA, 2 years, $24M).
Losses: Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (FA, signed with Diamondbacks; 4 years, $80M); Matthew Boyd, LHP (FA).
Scout’s take: “Detroit has improved its situation adding a couple veteran arms in Flaherty and Maeda. Flaherty had a bad year last season, but he’s got a pretty good ceiling and I really like Skubal at the top. He’s electric. Manning has a good arm. Olson’s stuff is pretty good, too. If he’s the Tigers’ fifth starter, that’s a real good rotation. If Detroit had some better position players, they’d compete in the AL Central because their pitching.”
10. KANSAS CITY ROYALS
1. Seth Lugo, RHP (8-7, 3.57 with Padres); 2. Michael Wacha, RHP (14-4, 3.22 with Padres); 3. Cole Ragans, LHP (5-2, 2.64); 4. Brady Singer, RHP (8-11, 5.52); 5. Jordan Lyles, RHP (6-17, 6.28);
Depth: Alex Marsh, RHP; Daniel Lynch IV, LHP; Kris Bubic, LHP.
Adds: Seth Lugo, RHP (FA; 3 years, $45M); Michael Wacha, RHP (FA; 2 years, $32M)
Losses: Zack Greinke, RHP (FA)
Scout’s take: “Kansas City might have the best rotation in the AL Central. Lugo and Wacha were good adds to a rotation that already had some good, young arms like Ragans.”
11. MINNESOTA TWINS
1. Pablo Lopez, RHP (11-8, 3.66); 2. Joe Ryan, RHP (11-10, 4.51); 3. Bailey Ober, RHP (8-6, 3.43); 4. Chris Paddack, RHP (1-0, 5.40); 5. Louie Varland, RHP (4-3, 4.63).
Losses: Sonny Gray, RHP (FA, signed with Cardinals for 3 years, $75M); Kente Maeda, RHP (FA, signed with Tigers for 2 years, $24M); Tyler Mahle, RHP (FA, signed with Rangers for 2 years, $22M).
Scout’s take: “I like Minnesota’s starters. When Lopez is on, his stuff is electric. When he’s at his best, Lopez is really, really good. The other guys aren’t going to overpower you, but they’re going to pound the strike zone. That’s what Joe Ryan does every outing. When you look at Ryan, you wonder how he gets anyone out. Well, it’s strike one, strike two. This isn’t a bad rotation and they just lost three starters in free agency.”
12. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
1. Reid Detmers, LHP (4-10, 4.48); 2. Griffin Canning, RHP (7-8, 4.32); 3. Patrick Sandoval, LHP (7-13, 4.11); LHP Tyler Anderson, LHP (6-6, 5.43); Chase Silseth, RHP (4-1, 3.96).
Depth: Davis Daniel, RHP.
Adds: Zach Plesac, RHP (FA, 1 year, $1M).
Departures: Shohei Ohtani, RHP (FA, signed with Dodgers for 10 years, $700M).
Scout’s take: “This is a professional rotation. It’s not good, but it’s not slop. I love Silseth. This is a guy who was drafted out of Arizona in the 11th round in 2021 and he got to the big leagues the next year. He’s got good stuff. Thick body. Strong kid who throws up to 98. The other guys all can keep you in games, but they’re nothing special. This rotation needs help at the top.”
13. BOSTON RED SOX
1. Lucas Giolito, RHP (8-15,, 4.88 ERA with White Sox, Angels and Guardians); 2. Nick Pivetta, RHP (10-9, 4.04); 3. Brayan Bello, RHP (12-11, 4.24); 4. Tanner Houck, RHP (6-10. 5.01); 5. Kutter Crawford, RHP (6-8, 4.04).
Depth: Garrett Whitlock, RHP.
Adds: Lucas Giolito, RHP (FA, 2 years, $38.5M).
Losses: Chris Sale, LHP (trade to Braves); James Paxson, LHP (FA); Corey Kluber, RHP (FA).
Scout’s take: “This rotation needs a lot of help. It wasn’t good last year, it still wasn’t good after they signed Giolito and now they just traded Sale. Giolito has a good arm and can dominate when he’s on, but Bello might have the best stuff of anyone in that rotation.”
14. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
1. Dylan Cease, RHP (7-9, 4.58); 2. Michael Kopech, RHP (5-12, 5.43); 3. Erick Fedde (20-6, 2.00 in Korea); 4. Michael Soroka, RHP (2-2, 6.40 with Braves); 5. Touki Toussaint, RHP (4-6, 4.97).
Depth: LHP Jared Shuster; Chris Flexen, RHP; Davis Martin, RHP; Jesse Scholtens, RHP.
Adds: Chris Flexen, RHP (FA, 1 year, $1.75M).
Losses: Mike Clevinger, RHP (FA); Jose Urena, RHP (FA).
Scout’s take: “As of right now, Cease and Kopech potentially are a solid 1-2, but Cease probably will be traded before spring training and you never know what you’re getting from Kopech. If Cease is gone, Shuster will be in the rotation. Chicago got Soroka and Shuster in that (November 2023) trade with Atlanta for (lefty starter) Aaron Bummer and both will end up in the rotation. Chicago has good young arms with ceilings in its system and you’ll probably start seeing some of them in the big leagues at some point this year. The White Sox’s future down the road looks bright because of their arms.”
15. OAKLAND ATHLETICS
1. Paul Blackburn, RHP (4-7. 4.43); 2. JP Sears, LHP (5-14, 4.54); 3. Luis Medina, RHP (3-10, 5.42); 4. Joe Boyle, RHP (2-0. 1.69); 5. Osvaldo Bido, RHP (2-5, 5.86 with Pirates).
Adds: Oswaldo Bido, RHP (FA).
Depth: Ken Waldichuk, LHP (elbow injury, status uncertain); Kyle Muller, LHP.
Scout’s take: “Oakland has to let all these young guys pitch and hope one of them turns into a top-of-the-rotation guy. I wouldn’t count on it. I liked Blackburn a couple years ago, but the stuff has backed up a little bit.”
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Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected].