Yankees’ free agent acquisition will not be their Opening Day starter

The Yankees aren’t going to push it with Marcus Stroman, who has been in line to pitch that third game of the season from the start of his throwing program. It remains to be seen who the Yankees turn to, but the options are down to three spots in their rotation. Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt are locks to make the starting rotation and thus are both considered viable options for the honor. They’ll have to do the impossible by replacing Gerrit Cole in Houston for their first game of the 2024 season, but it would make sense to turn to them in this circumstance.

We still don’t know who their fifth starter will be, and while Luke Weaver is the name you’d assume makes their Opening Day rotation, Aaron Boone has been non-committal about that. That could mean that they’re just trying to keep everyone engaged in the competition, or that conversations between Boone and Cashman are still ongoing in regards to who will fill out their rotation. That fifth starter could in theory also make the Opening Day start, and here are some of the other candidates for that role.

Clayton Beeter, whom the Yankees acquired at the 2022 trade deadline for Joey Gallo, has impressed heavily in Spring Training, striking out 11 batters while walking three in nine innings of work. The right-hander is sporting an improved four-seamer and slider, and since he’s on the 40-man roster, the Yankees don’t have to do much to place him in the rotation. Some of the concerns with him include poor command and the lack of a third pitch, but perhaps he can work through those flaws and put up quality starts at the Major League level.

The Yankees can also turn to Will Warren, who is widely considered a top-10 prospect in the organization and has also been solid in Spring Training. He posted a 3.61 ERA after being promoted to Triple-A last, winning International League Pitcher of the Month honors in September when he posted a 0.63 ERA across five outings. Warren possesses a deeper repertoire than Beeter and is considered more of a sure bet to remain a starter due to his deeper mix with multiple movement profiles.

Since he’s not on the 40-man roster, the Yankees would have to either make a roster transaction to clear space and make him eligible for a call-up to the Major Leagues. Furthermore, this starts his service clock, and the Yankees are very particular when it comes to service time. Whoever they eventually decide upon, they’ll potentially be in the mix for the Opening Day nod.