A Chance sighting in the Bronx in 2018?

On a day the New York Yankees celebrated the naming of Aaron Boone as their new manager, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner made some waves in the 2018 starting rotation. Steinbrenner spoke of Chance Adams as one of the host of young players the club is excited about heading into next season.

This comes after Steinbrenner praised Adams, Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, Domingo German, Justus Sheffield and Albert Abreu following the Owners Meetings in November.

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As of this writing, the team has Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, and Sonny Gray penciled into the starting five. Depending on whether CC Sabathia or another veteran is signed, one would have to believe Jordan Montgomery as the lone lefty with a year under his belt would have a leg up on a spot. This would leave Adams, Chad Green, and German to battle it out for the fifth spot.

Meanwhile, some reports are suggesting Adams could be included in a package for Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber. If one needed any indication of Matt Holliday's status at the designated hitter spot, it was on full display with Boone being issued No. 17. While Adams may be the most Major League ready among their prospects, his fate could be determined by virtue of the Yankees re-signing Sabathia or signing an Alex Cobb and deeming other pitchers in the system as having a higher ceiling.

Yet, much like Severino, Adams has Yankees fans buzzing and clamoring for his arrival in the Bronx. The excitement is well warranted with Adams breezing through five levels since 2015, sporting a record of 31-7 and a 2.70 ERA. With an above-average fastball and slider and his changeup and curveball on the come, Adams has the makeup and presence on the mound to compete for a Major League job.

Though he's young enough to garner more seasoning at Triple-A, one wonders if Adams doesn't make the rotation if the team wouldn't have him learn and develop out of the pen like Severino and Green these past two seasons? Before making the switch from reliever to starter, Adams compared himself to St. Louis Cardinals reliever Trevor Rosenthal, which the Yankees might gladly take at least initially if Adams isn't immediately in the rotation.

The fact Adams is on the radar of Steinbrenner speaks volumes of his development and the organization's focus on its emerging young stars.