Yankees Rumors: Signing Happ, Eovaldi Or Keuchel, Trade For Star Pitcher Are Options After Corbin

The New York Yankees missed out on their top target in free agency when Patrick Corbin decided to sign with the Washington Nationals. New York wasn’t willing to match the six-year. $140 million contract the left-hander received, forcing them to move on to cheaper options.

According to multiple reports, the Yankees are now eyeing J.A. Happ and Nathan Eovaldi as backup options. Neither pitcher would command the kind of money that Corbin received, and both have pitchers have already worn pinstripes.

Happ, 36, was New York’s best starter after the Yankees acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays. The veteran made his first All-Star team, finishing the year with a 3.65 ERA. Happ had a 3.18 ERA in 2016 and a 3.53 ERA in 2017.

Eovaldi, 28, was terrific for the Boston Red Sox during their World Series run with a 1.61 ERA in 22.1 playoff innings. He had a 3.81 ERA in 22 games last season after missing all of 2017 with Tommy John Surgery. Eovaldi went 23-11 with a 4.45 ERA in 51 appearances with the Yankees in 2015 and 2016.

Lance Lynn is another option for the Yankees, though he wasn’t nearly as good as Happ or Eovaldi in 2018. The 31-year-old had a 4.77 ERA in 156.2 innings with the Yankees and Minnesota Twins.

There are big names available that the Yankees could add, though it’s unknown exactly how much interest New York has in doing so. With Corbin off the market, Dallas Keuchel will command the largest contract of any starting pitcher that’s unsigned.

Keuchel, 30, might be looking for a nine-figure deal after seeing what Corbin received. He’s posted a sub-3.00 ERA in three of the last five years, including his 2015 Cy Young campaign. He went 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA for the Houston Astros last season, leading the league with 211 hits allowed in 204.2 innings. Keuchel only had 154 strikeouts.

All-Star caliber starters that have proven playoff track records could be had at the right price. The Yankees have reportedly spoken with the Cleveland Indians about a potential trade for Corey Kluber or Carlos Carrasco. The San Francisco Giants are reportedly willing to trade Madison Bumgarner for the right price.

The Yankees traded their top pitching prospect earlier this offseason when they acquired pitcher James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners.