Yankees battling 2 teams for star

While the Yankees initially aimed for a more impactful starting rotation signing than Marcus Stroman, they view Stroman as a viable option until the summer trade deadline. General Manager Brian Cashman is still actively seeking pitching support for the bullpen and has expressed interest in former Houston Astros reliever Hector Neris. The Yankees are competing with the Astros and the Texas Rangers for Neris’ services, recognizing the importance of fortifying their bullpen, especially given concerns about the starting rotation’s performance.

The Yankees’ rotation strategy is not without risks, relying on the potential bounce-back of Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes, the injury history of Stroman, and the developmental stage of Clarke Schmidt. Gerrit Cole stands as their sole guaranteed arm. Considering these uncertainties, the Yankees anticipate leaning heavily on their bullpen in the first half of the season. Neris, coming off an impressive 2023 season, could play a crucial role in this bullpen-centric approach.

In the 2023 season, Neris pitched 68.1 innings with a notable 1.71 ERA, a 3.83 FIP, a high left-on-base rate of 90.5%, and a 31.8% ground ball rate. While his walk rate has seen a slight increase over the past three seasons, Neris remains an effective pitcher. The 34-year-old declined an $8.5 million player option for the 2024 season, potentially leading the Yankees to offer around $10 million per season for his services.

Despite the Yankees’ historical success in developing underrated talent, Neris brings valuable experience pitching in high-pressure situations, including the World Series and playoff baseball. The Astros’ need for bullpen reinforcement poses a challenge for the Yankees in securing Neris, but they remain in contention. Cashman, known for his cautious approach to spending on older players, opted for a more cost-effective route with Stroman instead of pursuing a lucrative deal with Blake Snell.