There’s a widespread assumption that the New York Yankees still have plenty of business to get done before the MLB trade deadline.
That includes a need for more starting pitching.
ESPN’s Jorge Castillo predicted Tuesday morning in a new article that the Yanks will call up Pittsburgh to make it happen.
No, not Paul Skenes, but the next best thing: Castillo sees Mitch Keller ending up in the Bronx.
“The Yankees want a starting pitcher and Keller, while not the best starter seemingly available, would be a solid addition to a depleted rotation,” Castillo writes. “The veteran right-hander is so far having the best season of his career, with a 3.69 ERA over 127 innings. Furthermore, he is under contract for another three seasons for a sensible $55.7 million and the Yankees strongly prefer trading for non-rental players. Last year, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Mark Leiter Jr. fell into that bucket. And last week, they acquired Ryan McMahon, who is under contract through 2027.”
MORE: New York Mets on insane win streak thanks to Backyard Baseball legend Pablo Sanchez
The Yankees’ rotation has been battered by injuries all year after it looked, on paper, like one of New York’s strengths heading into the season.
Keller would be just the right guy to get it on track. He’s one of those starters who just oozes consistency, an ability to take the ball every fifth day and put up a positive outing.
New York could use that the rest of the way to try and chase down the AL East lead, and when playoff series roll around and they need someone steady to give the ball to.
Like Castillo writes, Keller isn’t the only option out there. But he’s certainly a good one, and if the Yankees can land him, it’d be a positive both this season and beyond.
MORE MLB NEWS: