The Yankees liked Patrick Corbin, projected him as the best starter in this free-agent class. Their appreciation went beyond just his performance. Their homework was that the lefty had terrific makeup and he had the fringe benefit of having been raised in upstate New York as a Yankees fan.
But there was enough that gave them pause. Corbin had never pitched for anyone but the small-market Diamondbacks in the NL West. His slider was among the most effective pitches in the majors, yet there was worry should that pitch dim in effectiveness or hitters became more attuned to laying off it.