Are the Yankees all in on Patrick Corbin?

After being eliminated from the 2018 post-season, the New York Yankees have plenty on their plate to sort out this offseason. One glaring need the Bombers must fill and one that is high on New York’s priority list is finding a starting pitcher.

In order to improve on the Bombers first 100 win season in nearly a century, aquiring a starting pitcher is imperative for the Yanks. New York only has two returning starters already slated to be on the 2019 roster, Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka.

The Yankee’s have many young arms on the come up in the minor leagues such as Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams, Domingo Acevado and Jordan Montgomery returning from Tommy John Surgery. Even with many arms to choose from, it is more than likely the Bombers will look outside the organization for pitching help.

There are a few big name free agents the Bombers could go after this offseason including Dodger’s ace Clayton Kershaw, if he opts out of his contract, and two Astro’s starters, Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton.

The Yankees could bring back some familiar faces like J.A. Happ who pitched to a dazzaling 7-0 record with a 2.69 earned run average in 11 regular season starts with the Yankees. New York has the opportunity to bring back the big lefty CC Sabathia for another go at a championship.  Sabathia finished the season with a 9-7 record and a 3.65 era. He provides extremely valuable leadership in the clubhouse.

One name that has been associated to the Yankees for quite some time is Diamondback’s starter Patrick Corbin. Corbin is a top free agent on the market this offseason. The lefty is coming off an All Star season in Arizone, going 11-7 with a 3.15 era. The 29 year old finished with 246 strikeouts in 200 innings of work.

Corbin is from Central New York and grew up a Yankee fan. He has expressed on multiple occasions that it would be a dream to put on the pinstripes.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman has long been a fan of Crobin. Cashman has tried to aquire him via trade in the past. Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports reports the Yankees are expected to target Corbin this offseason.

Entering his age 30 season and with pitching as such a hot commodity, Corbin will most likely command at least a five year deal worth north of 75 million dollars on the market.

The starting rotation was the Yankees Achilles’ heel throughout the 2018 season. THis weakness was especially evident against the divison rival Boston Red Sox in the American League Divison series.

It is assumed Crobin will be one of the more sought after pitchers this offseason. It will be interesting to see if Cashman and the Yankees will try to reunite Corbin with his New York roots.