TORONTO -- If you peer into the New York Yankees' future, you see only uncertainty. While the team struggles to stay out of the basement in the American League East this season, they have a vexing long-term issue of who will be their starting pitchers in the years to come. The franchise does not have any starters contractually locked in after next season.

Michael Pineda, who will be on the mound in Detroit on Thursday night, is the epitome of the Yankees' conundrum. At one point, Pineda appeared like he might be a future ace, but now he looks as if he might do well to spend some time at Triple-A. He will try to avoid that fate with a good showing at Comerica Park.

But when you try to imagine the Yankees' starting staff in 2017, it almost impossible to make predictions because of contractual issues (Masahiro Tanaka) and inconsistency (Pineda). Let's take a look, one-by-one:

1. Tanaka: Tanaka is signed to a seven-year, $155 million contract, but it contains an opt-out following the 2017 season. If Tanaka stays healthy and pitches close to ace form, he should have incredible leverage to pick up an even larger deal, which would force the Yankees into a potentially difficult decision as he will be 29 in the winter of 2017.

Masahiro Tanaka could force the Yankees' hand after the 2017 season. AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Tanaka is already pitching with a small tear in a ligament in his right elbow, which can be a precursor to Tommy John surgery. The Yankees have a stated policy -- which can prove to be flexible -- that they don't want to sign starters in their 30s. The Tanaka case could test this new organizational principle.

2. Nathan Eovaldi: Here is a little piece of news for you. Eovaldi told ESPN he would be open to talking about a long-term deal. "It would depend on what they offered," he said. "I love it here."

Eovaldi, 26, is 6-2 with a 3.71 ERA. In his career, he is 35-40 with a 4.07 ERA. He has tantalizing potential and has been very good of late, and could be a trade candidate if the Yankees sell this season as he would be an asset who could bring back some good prospects.

One red flag: He finished last year with an elbow issue that did not require surgery. Would you sign him long-term deal or trade him while his stock is rising?

3. Pineda: As Joe Girardi said, Pineda "should be a guy who should really be able to pull his weight." Pineda is 2-6 with a 6.92 ERA, and is pitching to stay in the rotation on Thursday.

Let's say Pineda were to put together an impressive run from now until the end of next season, would you trust him with a big-money deal then? Like Tanaka, he will turn 29 in the winter of 2017-18.

4. CC Sabathia: Sabathia has been a new pitcher this season. He hasn't been an ace again, but he has been much more than a No. 5 stater and could receive All-Star consideration with a 2.85 ERA.

He is making $25 million this year and, as long as he doesn't hurt his shoulder, another $25 million next year. He will be 37 after the 2017 season. It is hard to imagine Sabathia being a Yankee in 2018. He has exceeded expectations this year, especially when you remember how long the Yankees took to decide to give him the fifth spot out of spring training.

5. Ivan Nova: Nova, 29, is a free agent at the end of this season. He has had an inconsistent Yankee career, ranging from being the No. 2 starter to out of the rotation. He is back in now and has pitched pretty well.

It is a weak free-agent starting pitching market this winter, so Nova could get paid. It could be by the Yankees, but it is hard to imagine they will go crazy off Nova's body of work.

6. Luis Severino: Severino, 22, was supposed to be the biggest guarantee for 2017. He is still very likely to be part of the Yankees' near- and long-term future, but first he has to prove he is not one of the worst pitchers in the majors. That's how he pitched so far this season.

After looking like a future ace as a rookie last year, Severino has a lot to prove. Still, along with Tanaka, he is the best bet to be a Yankee long-term.

7. James Kaprielian: Kaprielian, 22, was the Yankees' first round pick last year, and there was thought he may be in the majors at some point this year. Alas, he is out with an elbow injury that doesn't yet require surgery, but has yet to move beyond A-ball. He could be a possible 2017 starter.