The Yankees Need to Trade J.A. Happ Before Jordan Montgomery or Michael King Take His Rotation Spot
The New York Yankees essentially have an unlimited budget. However, that doesn't mean the team wants to pay guys who won't be contributing members in any given season.
J.A. Happ is set to earn $17 million in 2020 and has a $17 million vested option for 2021 that hits if he reaches 165 innings or makes 27 starts. Yet right now, he may be fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation.
"J.A. Happ will be our fifth starter" entering the 2020 season, Brian Cashman tells @M_Marakovits. pic.twitter.com/zbakN8Ggmm
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 24, 2020
Happ entering spring training as the fifth starter puts him in a precarious situation. Guys like Jordan Montgomery and Michael King could end up being better, and cheaper options, in the rotation.
What the Yankees need to do is find a trade partner to take on Happ and his $17 million salary. He can go to a team where his money makes more sense based on his spot in the rotation. Indeed, $17 million for a fifth starter is excessive when cheaper and younger players are just as capable of holding down the spot.
So, now Yankees SP depth chart looks like:
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) December 11, 2019
1. Gerrit Cole
2. Luis Severino
3. James Paxton
4. Masahiro Tanaka
5. J.A. Happ
6. Jordan Montgomery
7. Jonathan Loaisiga
8. Mike King
9. Chance Adams
10. Deivi Garcia
(Domingo German likely to start season suspended)
Happ currently is fifth on the 2020 payroll table for the Yankees. Even with Brian Cashman's endorsement, he is coming off a 4.91 ERA season and only had a 1.2 WAR.
Cashman's kind words may only be to boost Happ's trade value. That would be a wise move as the season begins in only two months. Happ may no longer be in the rotation by then.