ESPN: Yankees Gamble a Golden Opportunity Instead of Signing a Proven Free Agent, to Strenghten Their Bullpen.

In the past two months, the New York Yankees had the opportunity to sign Tanner Scott, the best left-handed reliever available on the free agency market. They made it possible for the Los Angeles Dodgers to get another of the best players on the market. With only two left-handed pitchers on their 40-man roster—Max Fried and Carlos Rodon—the Yankees are less than a month away from spring training. But the Yankees are deserving of a pass on this one. Finding gems in the rough and transforming them into useful relievers is something they have done well in the past. And in order to acquire a lefty in the bullpen this season, that is what beat reporter Max Goodman of NJ.com advises they do.

“In any case, when the Yankees report to camp, don’t be shocked if they bring along a couple potential reclamation projects. Over the past several years, they have specialized in getting the most out of pitchers who are trying to salvage their careers. It doesn’t get any more economical than that, after all,” Goodman stated.

The Yankees have demonstrated their ability to identify “market inefficiencies” in bullpen pitching over the last four seasons under pitching coach Matt Blake. They have transformed previously unimpressive relievers into bullpen weapons by focusing on one or two of their skills. After acquiring Clay Holmes from the Pirates, Blake refined his sinker to make him one of the game’s top closers for two seasons. Blake transformed Luke Weaver from a failing starter into the Yankees’ closer in the World Series by working on his rising four-seam fastball.

After being acquired by the Yankees from the White Sox the previous season, left-hander Tim Hill experienced a similar comeback. Reuniting with the left-handed side-armer is still possible. Additionally, experienced left-handers Brooks Raley and Andrew Chafin have been connected to the Yankees.
To see whether Blake can work his magic on players like Will Smith, Ryan Yarbrough, Jake Diekman, Colin Poche, or Danny Coulombe, however, it would not be shocking if the Yankees invited them to camp.