The last time the Yankees and Phillies competed in a high-stakes setting, the Yankees copped the 2009 World Series title and christened the latest rendition of Yankee Stadium in a grand way.
Nine years later, the teams separated by 95 miles — in different leagues but with very demanding fan bases — are competing for left-handed free agent Patrick Corbin.
The Phillies met with the 29-year-old pitcher on Tuesday — even posting a picture of him on a screen in left field at Citizens Bank Park, wearing a Phillies cap. That visit could mean, because Corbin is in the area, that a sit-down with the Yankees is possible.
Corbin grew up a Yankee fan in a Syracuse suburb and hasn’t been shy about wanting to pitch in The Bronx. Nor have the Yankees kept their desire to add to their rotation a secret. They have scouted Corbin heavily the past several years and have been very open about adding a starter to the rotation, even after acquiring James Paxton from the Mariners last week.
In years past, the Yankees would hear about a free agent they liked talking to other teams and knew they held the hammer to get a deal done. However, the Phillies have made it known they are ready to open a well-stocked vault and spend more money than ever.
While inking $300 million-plus free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado might be too rich, it’s not just a fantasy. Because they need to upgrade the rotation, that’s where Corbin enters the picture.
Shortly after the Yankees were eliminated in the ALDS by the Red Sox in five games last month, the speculation was that Corbin could command five years for $75 million. That number has ballooned to $100 million, with some believing it might reach $120 million.
Because Corbin isn’t an ace — a lot of scouts and pitching evaluators believe he is a No. 3 starter with a filthy slider that some think has robbed him of velocity — that kind of money could lead the Yankees away from Corbin and toward bringing back J.A. Happ to fill out a rotation that includes Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Paxton.While the Yankees have acknowledged they are willing to spend money this offseason, it’s not as if Hal Steinbrenner is going to morph into his father and spend wildly as the Yankees attempt to close the large gap between them and the blood-rival Red Sox.
Corbin’s stock rose this season, when he went 11-7 with a 3.15 ERA in 33 starts, worked 200 innings, fanned 246 thanks to the slider, allowed 162 hits and 48 walks.
After going 14-8 with a 3.41 ERA in 32 starts in 2013, Corbin missed the entire 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery and made 16 starts the following season. In six years, Corbin is 56-54 with a 3.91 ERA in 172 games (154 starts).