Yankees Concerned About Former Cy Young Trade Target's Health
The New York Yankees received positive news during the week on Gerrit Cole. After thinking the worst, Yankees fans can breathe as their ace isn't believed to have suffered a long-term injury.
If Cole wasn't going to return, it's tough to imagine a scenario where they would've been a team that competes for a World Series.
Frankly, Cole has to be who he is for them to have any chance this season.
The same can be said for other teams, so that's not necessarily a bad thing for New York, but it's the truth.
It's clear the Yankees have an interest in adding another starting pitcher before the season starts. Whether that be a top-of-the-line arm like Blake Snell or a fourth starter like Michael Lorenzen remains to be seen.
One option is Shane Bieber, who New York would have to trade for.
The former Cy Young winner is one of the best in baseball when he's at his best and would be a huge help to this team with Cole missing at least the first two months of the year.
However, Buster Olney of ESPN says there might be some concerns the Yankees have about potentially putting a trade package together to acquire the star.
"Cleveland's Shane Bieber, a Cy Young Award winner in 2020, is another pitcher who has been discussed by teams as a trade target, but there are concerns about his health after arm issues limited him to 21 starts last season."
Given the health issues with this team in the past and present, adding another arm that isn't fully healthy would be a terrible decision.
Unless they're certain that Bieber can return to form and he's healthy, New York would be better suited looking for other options.
Factor in that they'd have to give up prospects for him and the deal makes little to no sense.
