Bronx Bomber Ball

A rough night for Yankees pitching spoiled another offensive outburst, as the Rangers picked up a 12-10 win on Wednesday night in Arlington. Wednesday also marks the first time that the Yankees have lost a series since they lost two out of three against the Red Sox at Fenway in early April. Despite the loss, the offense continues to roll. The Yankees totaled 14 hits and four home runs in the losing effort. Photo Credit: Michael Ainsworth/AP

The Yankees head into the 2018 offseason with only three locks in the starting rotation, Luis Severino, Sonny Gray, and Jordan Montgomery. Masahiro Tanaka has a player option to opt out of his remaining three years worth $67 million. The Yankees will also be losing CC Sabathia and Jaime Garcia to free agency unless they resign them. The Yankees have repeatedly mentioned that they want to be under the luxury tax threshold for the 2018 season, likely meaning that they would like to avoid large long-term contracts. With that in mind,  let's  take a look at some starting pitching free agent options for next season. David J. Phillip | AP Photo

It was not long ago I remember Doug Fister shutting down the Yankees in the fifth game of the 2011 Divisional Series. Fister’s outing seemed like it was the coming out party for the tall, lanky right-hander from California.   I also remember being shocked when the Tigers declared him on the trading block following the 2013 season, in which Fister finished with a 3.67 ERA and shined throughout the postseason. Detroit had decided to prioritize other pitchers ahead of the 27 year-old Fister and concluded they would not be able to sign him long term once his contract expired.   It seemed too good to be true that the Yankees had a chance to land a young impact starter on the rise, without shelling out a mega deal. Well, due to the drained farm system we were accustomed to at the time, it was. Fister was soon shipped off to the Washington Nationals. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Rick Yeatts

In what many see as one of the weakest free agent markets for starting pitching, the Yankees have plenty of questions and not too many answers regarding the 2017 starting rotation. The first three starters that are virtual locks to make the rotation out of spring training are Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, and Michael Pineda. After that, there are seemingly five guys vying for two spots. Youngsters Luis Severino, Bryan Mitchell, Luis Cessa, and Chad Green will all compete for a rotation spot with proven reliever Adam Warren being a darkhorse in the race. Joe Girardi will have plenty of options to fill the rotation, so before we look at what is left on the free agent market, let's address what the Yankees do have. Photo Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke

I know I may be getting ahead of myself here, but like many of you, I’m just simply excited for the future. That includes our pitching staff. Now I won’t delve into the bullpen because other than Dellin Betances, Tyler Clippard and Adam Warren, who knows what the rest of it will look like. I would, however, like to take a look at the rotation and how it may shape out and what options the Yankees have. Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso, USA TODAY Sports