While many believed that Masahiro Tanaka would be the pitcher giving the New York Yankees issues with his elbow injury, it is CC Sabathia having the struggling start in 2015. The starting pitcher has yet to appear like the ace he is known to be leaving the Yankees with hard decisions to make going forward. With a kiler contract to his name, what options does New York have with the 34-year-old?
Sabathia has yet to look good this season, coming off yet another struggling performance. The pitcher gave up three home runs and six earned runs against the New York Mets which is just another bad mark on his 2015 resume. He has gotten pushed around in three of his four starts while showing decreased velocity and issues with his right knee. So what do the Yankees do?
According to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com, the Yankees will need to make some tough calls on Sabathia. The pitcher is currently owed $23 million this year and then $50 million over the next two seasons. That is not a kind contract considering the production New York is getting in return. Kuty believes the Yankees will not make a move going forward and simply hold out faith Sabathia improves, but there are other options for the franchise.
With Tanaka getting extra rest, the Yankees cannot afford to send Sabathia down to the minors. A trade will not happen either considering his low numbers and contract status. The Yankees best option might be to add to the rotation, something they have been rumored to be considering since spring training. Players like Cole Hamels, Jordan Zimmermann and Johnny Cueto are all reportedly available. The issue is how much New York would be willing to give up for starting pitching help. All three options likely will not come cheap, but have the potential to be more productive than Sabathia.
The Yankees could try and wait things out while Ivan Nova and Chris Capuano get healthy. According to the New York Post, both players are inching towards a return which would give the Yankees more options to work with going forward. If Capuano and Nova return and struggle, the Yankees might be more hard pressed to make a trade than they are at the moment.
Update: According to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman via ESPN, Tanaka will miss a month of the season due to wrist tendonitits.
