Top Starting Pitchers The Yankees Must Consider Signing

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Zack Wheeler - 2019: 11-8 3.96 ERA 195 SO 195.1 IP

Wheeler was a part of serious trade rumors for much of the season as several teams including the Yankees were vying to acquire his services. Unfortunately, Cashman was unable to swing a deal with the Mets because of the steep asking price and his unwillingness to part with key prospects in the organization. Although there are concerns that he could be exposed in the hitter friendly confines of Yankees Stadium, Wheeler can still provide the rotation with a power arm and game longevity (averaged 6.2 innings per start in 2019) that the Yankees are looking for in 2020.

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Stephen Strasburg - 2019: 18-6 3.32 ERA 251 SO 209 IP

The California born right hander showed out in the postseason for the Major League champion Nationals going 5-0 in 6 starts. Strasburg has opted out of the remining 4 years his contract to pursue a bigger payday after taking home World Series MVP honors. Although he's spent his entire career in the National League thus far, it is fair to note that Strasburg has not had a season where his ERA went above 3.80 which is an impressive feat no matter how you look at it. The Yankees should make a pass at him if he shows even the most remote interest in playing in the Big Apple.

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Hyun-Jin Ryu - 2019: 14-5 2.32 ERA 163 SO 182.2 IP

Ryu had a banner campaign for his sixth season in the majors proving once again that he is not going to fade out like some thought he would after shoulder surgery sidelined him in 2016. He twice posted a sub 1.00 ERA in a month (0.59 in May and 0.55 in July) and would make a nice pairing with Tanaka and Paxton in the rotation in the team chooses to look his way in the winter.

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Dallas Keuchel - 2019 8-8 3.75 ERA 91 SO 112.2 IP

For at least a month Keuchel appeared to be destined to sign with the Yankees after going unsigned past spring training. However, Negotiations stalled when the Yankees refused to give the extra $3 million that he was asking and thus the Atlanta Braves wound up swooping in and signing the lefty away from New York. Now the they have another shot at it, the team could certainly offer Keuchel a more lucrative contract to attain his services. He hasn't quite been the same since his Cy Young season in 2015 as his WHIP has increased in each year after, but he can still provide the Yankees with a stable arm in 2020.

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Gerrit Cole - 2019 20-5 2.50 ERA 326 SO 212.1 IP

Cole is the hands down top target for every contender in 2020. He put up stellar numbers for Houston this season and was a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. He's everything you could want in a starting pitcher in today’s league and would more than elevate the Yankees staff into one of the best in the MLB. He will come with heavy price tag as a Cy Young award should be added to his resume once the awards are given out. Hopefully this will not deter Cashman from offering the dominant righty the chance to play for his favorite childhood team.

5 Yankees That Need Big Performanes In 2019

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Aroldis Chapman

When you look at Chapmans's numbers from last season (2.45 ERA, 93 K in 55 Appearances) you wouldn't think that he would need a bounce back year at all. However, when you consider that he was bothered by a knee injury for several weeks, it makes even more sense for 'The Missile' to prove that he is pain free and ready own the mound as the Yankees closer in 2019.

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Greg Bird

Bird had high hopes in 2018 that he would solidify himself as the teams everyday first baseman, but another untimely injury stymied his chances. Unfortunately, things did not go his way when he returned and the big lefty found himself platooning with a red-hot acquisition named Luke Voit, whom took the Bronx by storm down the stretch. Now facing a potentially critical point in his young career, Bird must show the club the player he is more than capable of being.

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Clint Frazier

Clint Frazier's season ended before it could really begin in last year as a severe concussion kept him from returning to the field. Now that the injury is behind him, he can win a platoon spot on the active roster that would give him the chance to make a real name for himself in pinstripes

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Luis Severino

Severino got off to a spectacular start last season (14-2 2.31 ERA), He earned a spot on the All-Star team and was one of the frontrunners for the AL Cy Young award. Sadly, the second half did not play out nearly as well as the first. He posted a 5.57 ERA in 12 starts and never really found any semblance of the rhythm he had prior to the All-Star break. He has admitted that his perplexing drop-off was due to fatigue and he has worked on upping his endurance so he can stay well-conditioned for the long haul.

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Gary Sanchez

If there is any Yankee that needs a strong performance this coming season, it's Gary Sanchez. Not only was his hitting poor (. 186), his defense was called into question on many occasions. Making matters worse, Sanchez seemed disenchanted by it all and made no real effort to change the minds of his critics. Was he affected by the Yankees acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton? Was he injured for longer that he was? No one can say for certain why he played so poorly in 2018, but one thing's for certain a stellar campaign in 2019 will erase all the questions and doubts surrounding the slugging catcher known as 'Kraken'.

How The Knicks Should Plan Their Future

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A True Stabalizing Point Guard 

The Knicks have not had much luck finding a point man that can run the offense effectively. While Emmanuel Mudiay has made great strides as a ball player this season, where his fuure may lies is still up in the air. There are lots of speculation that The Knicks could pursue the likes of Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, and even Damian Lillard but given the team current rebuild thos options won't be a sure thing by the slightest.

Long Term Answer At Center

Enes Kanter has been hot and cold with the team all season and though he has expressed his love of New York and the Knicks, it doesn't appear the organization is leaning toward bringing him into the fold long term. Should that be the case, The Knicks will need to have a plan at center that they are comfortable with. Some speculate the the team could go with using the recovering Kristaps Porzingis since his size (7'3") makes him a very viable candidate to fill the role. If they would rather not move KP, luring the likes Demarcus Cousins or Nikola Vucevic to the Garden is in cards, but much like the free agent point guards it won't be easy to bring them in.

Aim for a Superstar

One of the biggest hopes the Knicks have is pairing a top superstar player with their young core. With players like Klay Thompson (unrestricted), Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant (all with player options) up for grabs the Knicks will certainly look to stake their claim in what could shape up to be a stacked free agency pool. Can the Knicks land one of these top stars? It's not impossible and if it should happen, there is a great chance the could speed up its rebuilding process and get back into contention much sooner that expected.

Use the Draft

As of right now the Knicks sit in position for a top 3 pick in the upcoming draft. This would put them in great position to land one of the highly touted college prospects like Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, or Ja Morant. WHomever the Knicks wind up wth will give the added youth that they can develop into a big contributor for years to come.