Do fans really need to be convinced that LHP J.A. Happ should be re-signed by the Yankees? Happ was a 2018 All-Star with the Blue Jays before he was traded to the New York Yankees at the deadline. The 36 year old Happ became the most reliable and effective starter on the staff in August and September, his unfortunate post-season start against the Boston Red Sox notwithstanding.
For the fourth time in nine seasons, Happ found himself traded at or near the deadline. He is the consummate professional, whether he’s dominating the other team or grinding it out with workman-like precision. Happ competes and succeeds at a very high level. Whenever the Yankees faced him when he was a Blue Jay you knew it was going to be a good old American League East dogfight.
In 11 starts with the Yankees, he pitched to a 2.69 ERA and a 7-0 record with his only real struggle during the regular season being the August 30th start against the Tigers. In the postseason, he struggled in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox, giving up 5 runs on four hits, one walk and two strikeouts in just over two plus innings.
Fans were disappointed in Happ’s performance against the Red Sox as he was brought into the organization in some respects on the basis of his past success against them.
He pitched against the Red Sox twice after the trade:
Happ’s repertoire consists of five pitches:
- a four-seam fastball (89-95 mph)
- a two-seam fastball (89-93 mph)
- a slider/cutter (83-86 mph)
- a curveball (76-79 mph)
- a changeup (82-84 mph)
There has been some speculation that he changed what had made him successful with the Blue Jays when he came to the Yankees and got lucky. “His peripherals say that he’s getting lucky, and that his skills are more indicative of a reliable mid-rotation starter than an ace.” I would agree, but isn’t this just exactly what the Yankees need?
When asked about resigning Happ, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said he would get a lot of consideration, but not just from the Yankees – of course being very noncommittal as the free agent market could take the Yankees in any number of directions as far as starting pitching goes.
Would Happ, 36, consider a one year deal? He will likely be looking to earn somewhere in the vicinity of $13 million per year. The Yankees would do well to bring him back on a one year contract should Happ be open to that, but anything longer than one year would probably be risky.
The Yankees need starters who can go 6-7 innings in front of one of the best bullpens in the league and Happ would be solid in the role of a middle rotation starter for the Yankees. He’s a warrior of the AL East and his brief showing in the ALDS can only have whetted his appetite for bigger and better things in 2019 with the Yankees.
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