Report: Yankees to cut ties with $162 million starter after mistrust in the playoffs

If the postseason began today for the New York Yankees, their three-man rotation would be a major area of concern. Gerrit Cole would unquestionably anchor the rotation as their top ace, but the choices for the remaining spots would require careful consideration.

Question Marks in the Yankees’ Rotation

Marcus Stroman has experienced a noticeable drop in velocity across his pitches and has struggled with inconsistency throughout the season. Luis Gil is on the injured list due to a lower back issue, but he is expected to return in a few weeks.

Clarke Schmidt is currently on a rehab assignment and is set to come back soon, though the Yankees are unsure which version of him will show up. Nestor Cortes has made progress, but he still needs to demonstrate more consistency. Most notably, the team has yet to see a full return on their $162 million investment in Carlos Rodon.

Rodon’s Struggles and Inconsistencies

Rodon signed a six-year deal in the 2023 offseason, but his performance has been plagued by inconsistency and injuries. In 2023, he managed only 64.1 innings with a 6.85 ERA, and his strikeout rate dropped significantly. Although he’s been mostly healthy in 2024, his 4.31 ERA over 146.1 innings indicates ongoing confidence issues. His velocity remains in line with his typical range, but his strikeouts per nine innings have fallen to 9.90, down from over 11 during his peak years with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants in 2021 and 2022. Despite a respectable left-on-base rate of 76.4% and a ground ball rate of 32.6%, he’s having difficulty with pitch location.

Fastball Woes

Rodon’s fastball has become a weakness. The Yankees have decreased its usage from 60.4% last year to 49.2% this year, as it now allows a .264 batting average and a .524 slugging rate, with only a 21.1% whiff rate and a 15.3% putaway rate. Without an effective fastball, Rodon lacks the dominant edge he once had when he effectively paired his four-seamer with his slider.

On Wednesday, facing a struggling Washington Nationals team, Rodon gave up five earned runs over 5.2 innings, striking out eight batters and walking one. He surrendered eight hits, and although his strikeout numbers were up, his fastball was repeatedly hit hard by the Nationals.

Boone’s Postseason Dilemma

At this point, Manager Aaron Boone might be forced to rely on Rodon in a postseason appearance due to the uncertainty surrounding other options. However, the team might be better off taking a chance on Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt, assuming they deliver strong performances in September.

Missed Opportunities at the Trade Deadline

Many fans are likely to criticize general manager Brian Cashman for not prioritizing the acquisition of a dependable starting pitcher for the postseason. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for instance, secured Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers, a move that could have significantly benefitted the Yankees. Flaherty boasts a 3.07 ERA this season, including a 3.49 ERA over 28.1 innings with the Dodgers. While he was more effective with Detroit, his presence would have been valuable for the Yankees, who frequently find themselves trailing early in games, making comebacks more difficult.

Rodon’s Early Inning Struggles

Rodon’s early-inning struggles have been especially concerning, as he has posted a 7.67 ERA in the first inning and a 5.67 ERA in the second. Starting games with such deficits significantly reduces the Yankees’ chances of winning, underscoring the urgency of finding a solution to Rodon’s ongoing issues.