The lockout is over, and the Yankees have a number of roster holes that need to be addressed, most notably at shortstop, first base (if they feel Luke Voit’s injury woes are not going away), and in the starting rotation.
Speaking on the latest episode of his R2C2 podcast, former Yankee lefty CC Sabathia says he has solutions for two of those holes, both internally and externally.
As for the rotation, which looks thin outside of Gerrit Cole, Sabathia says there is reason to have faith that Luis Severino can return to his early 2018 form, when he was one of the best pitchers in baseball before injuries began to dominate his once promising career.
“Hopefully Severino can come back and pitch well,” Sabathia said. “He looks great. I saw him throw a bullpen and some [live batting practices] the other day, he looked really good.”
Severino appeared in just four games for the Yanks last season, suffering setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but the Yanks are banking on him to be healthy and give the team a formidable second option behind Cole.
A former Severino teammate that underwent Tommy John surgery is someone Sabathia is eyeing to make a potential return to the Bronx in shortstop Didi Gregorius.
“I saw Didi working out with all of them guys,” Sabathia said. “Maybe there’s a chance we sign Didi back to play shortstop for a year or two to hold over before you get [Anthony] Volpe or [Oswald] Peraza up.”
The Yanks have multiple shortstop options available on the free agent market, including superstar Carlos Correa, but it is unclear whether they want to make a big splash now or find a stopgap until their hyped prospects are major-league ready. Gregorius would have to be acquired via trade, since he is under contract with the Phillies in 2022 after being one of the least productive players in the league last season, and it seems highly unlikely given Gregorius' $15.25 million that he is due this season. But Sabathia believes getting Gregorius’ presence back in the clubhouse would be a big lift for the Yanks.
“Why not? Everybody loved him,” Sabathia said. “The clubhouse changed when Didi left. To have a chance to be able to get him back, it’s a positive impact on Gleyber, him and Aaron Hicks are boys, Didi was a huge part of that clubhouse and the culture. I think it’s a possibility, it would be great to have him back.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch