The Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros to win their first World Series in franchise history, and we will be without baseball for quite some time.
But, the offseason has now officially begun, and the Yankees need some starting pitching.
The two best pitchers on the market are Gerrit Cole, obviously, and hopefully World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, who can opt-out of his deal with the Nationals, if he so chooses.
Either one of these two pitchers are exactly what the Yankees need, as their starting pitching needs improvement. With CC Sabathia retiring, there is a hole in the Yankees’ rotation, and if Cole or Strasburg can slide into that rotation, it would be amazing
Just think, the Yankees rotation next year could be Strasburg/Cole, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, and Domingo German, permitting German is not suspended for the allegations on him for domestic abuse. If he is not pitching with the Yankees next season, possibly Jordan Montgomery could be in that fifth starter spot.
Strasburg and Cole are two of the best pitchers in baseball, and they really proved it this year.
During the regular season, Cole put up Cy Young numbers. He went 20-5, with a 2.50 ERA to lead the American League, a 0.895 WHIP, and a 2.64 FIP. His FIP was best in the American League, but he also led the entire MLB in two stats; he struck out 326 batters and had an ERA+ of 185. Cole simply went OFF this season.
Strasburg also had an amazing season, as he went 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA, a 1.038 WHIP, a 3.25 FIP, a 138 ERA+, and struck out 251. A great year, but the edge in regular-season statistics would have to go to Cole.
In the postseason, they both turned it on.
Strasburg, the World Series MVP, had a 1.98 ERA this postseason along with a .221 batters against average and a .607 opponent’s OPS.
Those statistics are pretty good, but they do not tell the whole story.
Stephen Strasburg's postseason:
-Filthy relief outing to save day in WC game
-Dominant NLDS-G2 when down in series
-Great NLDS-G5 on road vs Buehler, LAD
-Nasty to end STL chances in NLCS G3
-Excellent in WS-G2 to take multi game lead
-Epic outing in WS-G6 to keep Nats alive.— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) October 31, 2019
Strasburg was clutch all postseason and deserves the World Series MVP.
Gerrit Cole also had an outstanding postseason, falling just one game short of a World Series championship. Cole had a 1.72 ERA this postseason, .165 batters against average, and a .515 opponent’s OPS.
Cole and Strasburg were the two best pitchers of the postseason, and the Yankees need to go after them in the offseason. Cole is definitely a free agent, but Strasburg may not opt-out of his contract with the Nationals. If he does, the Yankees should give him an offer.
No matter what, the Yankees need to bring Cole or Strasburg into the starting rotation.
Featured Image: Mike Ehrmann - USA Today Sports
