Lately, all of the New York Yankees rumors seem to be surrounding the possible signing of Japanese star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. However, if the Yankees fail to sign Tanaka, there are a couple of backup free agent options the Yankees could sign for a fraction of the cost.
Several pundits around the league are pointing to ground ball pitchers such as the Atlanta Braves' Paul Maholm and the St. Louis Cardinals' Jake Westbrook as potential emergency plans in case the Chicago Cubs or another team signs Tanaka away from the Yankees.
Both pitchers had down years in 2013 in comparison to the rest of their bodies of work. If the Yankees return to their previous assertion of trying to stay under the $189 million luxury tax threshold, this could potentially turn Maholm and Westbrook into cost-effective backup plans.
Paul Maholm went 10-11 with a 4.41 ERA in 26 starts with the Atlanta Braves this past season. Jake Westbrook went 7-8 with a 4.63 ERA in just 21 starts with the NL Champion St. Louis Cardinals. 2013 was the first year since his rookie year in 2000 where he had more walks allowed (50) than strikeouts (44).