ADIOS SABATHIA?

The addition of 25 year old Masahiro Tanaka to the Yankees (7/155) brings youth, quality and stability to the rotation.  On paper, the top four starters (Sabathia, Kuroda, Tanaka and Nova) look good but there is some worry. 

Hiroki Kuroda, 3.8 WAR in 2013 and soon to be 39, has been great in New York even better then his last two years in Los Angeles (7.5 WAR and 421 IP in NY and 6.3 WAR and 398 IP in LA).  The last 60 IP in 2013 his ERA was 5.44.  I have to wonder how many sinkers, sliders and splits are left in that arm.  Ivan Nova, 27, had only 139.1 IP but racked up 2.5WAR and a 3.10 ERA.  Not a model of durability he's never logged more than 171 IP.  The ace of the staff, CC Sabathia 33, was in free fall (2.7 WAR in 2013 and 4.9 and 6.5 WAR the 2 previous years).  With 2775 IP under his belt, CC was a below average pitcher in 2013.  His fastball velocity has dropped (93.8 to 92.3 to 91.1) the last 3 years.  He used it more  than his slider (26.0% to 21.9% to 17.5% last 3 years) which was a more effective pitch.  The H/9 rate of 9.55 and HR/9 of 1.19 were career worst and his K/9 rate of 7.46 was tied for lowest in the last 8 years.  His ERA was 4.76, a career high.

CC Sabathia removed from game   (NY Daily News)

CC might have an uptick in performance in 2014 but should not recover his ace standing unless the 94 mph fastball is back or he reinvents himself.  With 3 years guaranteed (2014-2016) plus and option for 2017 that could cost the Yankees 96.0 million total there should be legitimate cause for concern.


Stats courtesy of Fangraphs.