Pitching Staff
1. Masahiro Tanaka – 25 starts, 157.7 innings pitched, 3.82 ERA, 2.8 zWAR
2. Michael Pineda – 21 starts, 121.3 innings pitched, 3.86 ERA, 2.0 zWAR
3. Luis Severino – 30 starts, 154 innings pitched, 3.80 ERA, 2.7 zWAR
4. Nathan Eovaldi – 25 starts, 146.3 innings pitched, 4.24 ERA, 1.6 zWAR
5. CC Sabathia – 21 starts, 124.7 innings pitched, 4.98 ERA, 0.2 zWAR

At least on paper, the Yankees look to have a relatively formidable rotation. However, that rotation comes with some significant question marks. First off, nearly all of the guys currently slated to be in the rotation missed at least some time in 2015. Tanaka, Pineda, and Sabathia are all pretty big injury concerns, with a history of missed time. Nathan Eovaldi, who has missed some significant time, and Luis Severino, who is still young and likely will not be overworked in 2016, cannot be considered locks for success just yet.

That is where the Yankees pitching depth once again comes in. Severino is seemingly ready to pitch a full season, so the Yankees could push Ivan Nova to the bullpen, where he will work as a long relief man and also be available in case any injuries occur. Add Bryan Mitchell as well, and the Yankees certainly have at least some depth to get by in case of an injury to the starting staff. The loss of Adam Warren will hurt, but the Yankees do have at least some depth.

Bullpen
Aroldis Chapman – 63 games, 62 innings pitched, 2.47 ERA, 1.8 zWAR
Andrew Miller – 56 games, 52 innings pitched, 2.25 ERA, 1.3 zWAR
Dellin Betances – 71 games, 85 innings pitched, 2.12 ERA, 2.4 zWAR
Ivan Nova – 19 games- 18 starts, 109.3 innings pitched, 4.45 ERA, 0.9 zWAR
Bryan Mitchell – 29 games- 20 starts, 108.3 innings pitched, 5.48 ERA, -0.6 zWAR

Jacob Lindgren – 29 games, 38.3 innings pitched, 3.76 ERA, 0.3 zWAR
Chasen Shreve – 62 games, 66 innings pitched, 3.95 ERA, 0.3 zWAR
James Pazos – 43 games, 53.3 innings pitched, 4.22 ERA, 0.0 zWAR
Branden Pinder – 43 games, 54.3 innings pitched, 4.80 ERA, -0.4 zWAR
Nick Goody – 52 games, 67.7 innings pitched, 3.86 ERA, 0.4 zWAR

Of the several additions the Yankees made this offseason, the bullpen perhaps saw the biggest one. The acquisition of Aroldis Chapman gives the Yankees perhaps the most formidable back three in all of baseball, and perhaps even the best of all time. Chapman has already been named the closer, while Betances and Miller are likely to share 7th/8th inning roles depending on game situations. Beyond them, the Yankees will likely have either one or both of Nova or Mitchell to serve in a long relief or spot start.

Beyond those five, the Yankees will likely have a bit of uncertainty in the last two spots of their bullpen. The loss of Justin Wilson hurts the Yankees in the mid to late innings, but replacing him with Chapman is a pretty good trade. Both Shreve and Pinder were good for the Yankees in 2015, and could fill those final two roles. The Yankees also have some talent in Lindgren, Pazos, and Goody, all of whom could play parts in the bullpen next season. Just like in the starting staff, the Yankees are relying on depth in the bullpen behind the big three, unproven as it may be.

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Patrick is a recent graduate of the University of California San Diego where he studied Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations. He is also a lifelong baseball fan and has dreams of one day watching a Major League game in every stadium.