The New York Yankees' starting rotation is about to get Luis Gil back, but they may want another arm in the rotation as well. They could target a more reliable arm for October.
Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Gil could be an elite trio for the Yankees in October. However, behind them, the Yankees have Cam Schlittler, Marcus Stroman and Will Warren. Ryan Yarbrough was pitching very well in the rotation before his injury, and he should return as the No. 4 starter.
The question is whether the Yankees are comfortable with Schlittler, Stroman or Warren having to start a game in the postseason. Yarbrough allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his eight starts before his injury, so the team may be fine with him starting a postseason game. However, FanSided's Rucker Haringey suggested the team acquire Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"Arizona would prefer to part with Zac Gallen instead of Kelly, but the Yankees should hold out for the veteran," wrote Haringey. "He'd give them a nice short-term boost of stability in their starting rotation ahead of a hopeful push towards October."
Kelly has a 3.34 ERA in 20 starts and will be a free agent after the season. He, among other Diamondbacks players, is available at the deadline, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
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Even though Kelly is not an ace, he could be exactly what the Yankees need. A rotation of Fried, Rodón, Gil, Kelly and Yarbrough is good enough to make a run in October. Kelly has a 2.25 postseason ERA in four starts as well.
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