The free agent market, when it comes to starting pitching, is a bit middling. Trevor Bauer is the heaviest name and true difference-maker, top-of-the-rotation arm, but after him, there are plenty of question marks. Former New York Yankees‘ hurlers James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ will all hit the market, and ex New York Mets’ pitcher Marcus Stroman will also be available. All of them are very talented, but a cut below Bauer.
Stroman took a shot at the Yankees and their current rotation. Indeed, the Bombers fell short of advancing to the American League Championship Series in part because their starting pitching lacked quality options and depth, at least compared to the Tampa Bay Rays.