This was a big week in the MLB offseason. The Cardinals acquired perennial all-star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt by giving up two former top prospects, Carson Kelly and Luke Weaver, and a draft pick. Goldy is important for the Cards who hit .290 last season and 33 homers, as they’ve been needing a solid hitter with power in the middle of that lineup over the last few seasons.
The D-backs seem to be in sell-mode this offseason after just letting Patrick Corbin walk away to the Nationals, but they did gain some young talent, so I assume that signifies rebuilding in that organization.
Corbin, who was the other big name acquisition this week, signed a 6-year, $140 million deal with the Washington Nationals, who now boast one of the best starting rotations in baseball alongside the likes of multi-Cy Young award-winning Max Scherzer and potential Cy Young winner Stephen Strasburg. However, Bryce Harper’s contract just ended with the team which is a disappointment to Nats fans who would’ve loved to see this rotation paired with an offense that has Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon in it. Corbin turned down the Yankees offer of five years, $100 million.
Corbin grew up in Clay, NY as a die-hard Yankees fan and renowned Andy Pettitte fan, so all of the sports writers believed the Yankees were a shoe in to sign him—however, the Nats topped their offer and he followed the money.
The Yankees were not willing to oblige to his request of at least six years, which makes sense considering he was just an above average hurler until his breakout season in 2018.
The Yankees did not feel as though he was worth a nearly $24 million per year investment, which makes him among the top paid pitchers in baseball. This comes as a letdown for Yankees fans. He seemed like such an obvious fit for the team because of his background, but also because of the fact that he’s a southpaw.
The fact that he’s a lefty in Yankee Stadium nullifies the effect of the 314 foot “short-porch” wall in right field, which is easy for left-handed batters to hit homers over. His slider would be tough on left-handers, and righties would be forced to hit balls to the deepest part of the ballpark, Death Valley, where the wall is 399 feet to left-center field and 408 feet to center.
So the deal didn’t work out, but there are still several good pitching options available like Dallas Keuchel, Nathan Eovaldi (who once played for NY), Charlie Morton and recent Yankee J.A. Happ who went 7-0 with an ERA under 3.00 playing for the Yankees last season.
I am sure the motivated spenders will make a big splash for a starter as soon as the MLB Winter Meetings loom closer. Oh, and let’s not forget that Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still open to go anywhere—so stay tuned.