As the New York Yankees gear up for the 2025 season, their rotation has taken a significant hit with the recent injuries to key pitchers Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil. This unexpected turn of events has left the Yankees scrambling to rebuild their starting lineup, which was once considered among the top ten in the league.
Here, we delve into the impact of these injuries and explore the potential solutions and challenges the Yankees face as they navigate this tumultuous period.
The Yankees’ Rotation Takes a Hit
The Yankees’ starting rotation, which was projected to be among the best in the league, has been severely compromised.
Gerrit Cole, the ace of the rotation, is facing a possible season-ending Tommy John surgery after experiencing elbow issues. Meanwhile, Luis Gil is expected to be out for at least three months due to shoulder problems. This double blow has left the Yankees with a gaping hole in their pitching lineup.
The Impact of Cole and Gil’s Absence
Before these injuries, the Yankees were ranked sixth in the league according to FanGraphs’ depth charts. With Cole and Gil projected to log 326 innings, their absence significantly lowers the team’s performance expectations.
The Yankees now find themselves among the bottom ten teams in terms of starting rotation projected wins above replacement (WAR).
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This decline is particularly concerning given the team’s recent trades, which have depleted their pitching depth. The Yankees had traded away several promising pitchers in the past couple of years, leaving them with limited options to fill the void left by Cole and Gil.
Current State of the Yankees’ Rotation
With Cole and Gil out of the picture, the Yankees’ rotation now relies heavily on a few key players, each with their own set of challenges and uncertainties:
- Carlos Rodón: A talented pitcher but prone to bouts of poor command and injury risks.
- Max Fried: A great pitcher with a history of injuries, having missed most of a season in recent years.
- Marcus Stroman: Limited to around 140 innings per season over the past three years, making it difficult to increase his workload significantly.
- Carlos Carrasco: An experienced pitcher but with an ERA over six in the past two seasons.
Potential Breakout Performers
Despite the challenges, there is some hope for the Yankees’ rotation in the form of younger, less experienced pitchers who could step up and deliver strong performances:
- Clarke Schmidt: Found success last year with his sinker/sweeper combo and improved performance against lefties. He is projected for 149 innings, which could be optimistic but not unattainable.
- Will Warren: Following the Yankees’ player development road map, Warren has shown promise with his sinker/sweeper combo and effective use of his changeup and four-seam fastball.
Both Schmidt and Warren could play crucial roles in stabilizing the Yankees’ rotation if they can deliver consistent and high-quality innings.
Challenges and Uncertainties
Even with the potential of Schmidt and Warren, the Yankees’ rotation remains on thin ice. Several other pitchers in the system face their own set of challenges:
- Cam Schlittler: Possesses a powerful fastball but lacks a reliable secondary pitch against lefties. He is expected to debut later in the season.
- Chase Hampton: Recently underwent Tommy John surgery and will be out for the season.
- Yoendrys Gómez: Considered a fifth starter at best, with some analysts predicting he may not rise above a low-leverage reliever role.
Player Development and Organizational Strengths
Despite the current setbacks, the Yankees’ player development system has shown promise in recent years. The organization has produced several successful pitchers, such as Michael King and Clarke Schmidt, and leads the minor leagues in key metrics like batted-ball velocity and certain pitch characteristics.
This track record suggests that the Yankees have the potential to develop and nurture new talent, even in the face of significant injuries. The key will be for these young pitchers to step up and deliver when given the opportunity.
Looking Ahead
The Yankees’ rotation for the 2025 season is undoubtedly in a precarious state following the injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil. However, there is still hope for the team to salvage their season.
The development and performance of their younger pitchers could be the key. Clarke Schmidt and Will Warren, in particular, have the potential to make significant contributions and help stabilize the rotation.
As the season progresses, the Yankees will need to rely on their player development system and the resilience of their remaining pitchers to overcome this challenging period.
While the road ahead is uncertain, the Yankees have the resources and talent to navigate these obstacles and remain competitive in the league.
For more detailed insights into the Yankees’ current rotation challenges, you can read the full article on The Athletic.
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