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2016 AL East Rankings by Position: Starting Pitching

By Nate Wardle

Sep 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (right) addresses the media as Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (left) holds a microphone during batting practice before a game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (right) addresses the media as Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (left) holds a microphone during batting practice before a game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) poses for a photo during photo day at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) poses for a photo during photo day at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. New York Yankees – Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, Luis Severino, Nathan Eovaldi, C.C. Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Bryan Mitchell, Anthony Swarzak

The Yankees have two guys at the top of the rotation that they don’t expect to have any questions about. Tanaka will be healthier in 2016 than he was to start 2015. Pineda is coming off a good season, although he tailed off at the end. Severino looked primed to be a star in 2016, and although there will likely be growing pains; expect him to be quite good. Eovaldi was fantastic in 2015, going 14-3, which most people would have never expected .

As for the fifth starter, I’m not expecting much. Sabathia is healthy and is done with rehab, but I don’t think he has much left in the tank. Nova has never been very good for the Yankees. Mitchell is nothing more than a long reliever, and Swarzak couldn’t stay in the Twins’ rotation, so I can’t see him hanging in the Yankees. I expect the 35-year-old Sabathia, in what could be the last year of his contract, to have many opportunities to stay in the rotation, no matter how bad he is.

With the star at the top and the potential of Severino, one could argue that the Yankees are better than the Rays. However, pitching is so hard to measure by most statistics, as the Rays’ pitching suffers from the lack of wins. The Rays’ depth from top to bottom, and even past the fifth starter, will keep them in first. Plus, one has to wonder if Tanaka can stay healthy in 2016? If not, the Yankees are in big trouble.

Next: One pitcher makes a big difference...

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