MLB rumors: Yankees to miss on Diamondbacks’ Patrick Corbin, Astros’ Dallas Keuchel?

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for starting pitching in free agency. Two of the best arms available are Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin and Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel.

The MLB hot stove is heating up, and the rumors are flying fast and furious about Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. The latest chatter has the Yankees passing on the former National League MVP. And with good reason. Anyone who watched the Yankees lose to the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series knows general manager Brian Cashman’s top priority should be improving the starting rotation.

Two of the best starters on the market are Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin and Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel.

But MLB.com’s Richard Justice, who examined which free agents match up best with potential bidders, thinks the Yankees could swing and miss on both southpaws:

Patrick Corbin to Nationals

The Nationals are off to a terrific start, having acquired relievers Trevor Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough to join All-Star closer Sean Doolittle and transform a perennial problem area into a strength. While so much of the focus is on re-signing Harper — and his loss would not be insignificant — the Nationals’ No. 1 need is starting pitching, and Corbin is the best available free-agent starter. He’s 29 years old and coming off a season in which he was both healthy and better than ever: 200 innings, 1.05 WHIP, 11.1 K/9. This is how the NL East could be won in 2019.

…

Dallas Keuchel to Angels

Keuchel is going to have a long list of offers to sort through. None of them will be as appealing as a chance to pitch in Southern California for a team that could grab an American League Wild Card berth in 2019. Keuchel regressed some in 2018, but the Angels have seen enough of him to know that, when healthy, he significantly upgrades a rotation in need of help.

Free agent tracker

For what it’s worth, Justice thinks Harper’s best fit is the San Francisco Giants and Manny Machado’s best fit is the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.