Backing Wrecked Carlos Rodón Questioned: Time for Yankees’ Pitching Splash After Gerrit Cole Gut-Punch?

The New York Yankees entered the 2024 season with high hopes but mounting concerns about their starting rotation. Those concerns intensified yesterday after Carlos Rodón’s abysmal outing to close out Spring Training. The veteran left-hander was tagged for six runs (five earned) in a little over four innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, leaving many fans and analysts fearing a repeat of last year’s disappointment.

Rodón, who signed a lucrative six-year, $162 million contract in the 2022 offseason, struggled throughout his first season in pinstripes. Injuries, inconsistent mechanics, and declining control plagued the former All-Star, resulting in a disastrous 6.85 ERA over just 64.1 innings. “Now it’s real,” Rodón said after his lackluster performance yesterday. “Now the games matter and whatever this Spring Training was, it’s gone. It doesn’t matter anymore. Now the games count.” While Rodón tries to remain positive, his words carry a thinly veiled desperation.

The disastrous Spring Training finale comes on the heels of news that ace Gerrit Cole will be sidelined for around two months with elbow nerve irritation. This injury leaves a gaping hole in the Yankees’ rotation that Carlos Rodón was expected to fill. Now, it seems those expectations may have been too optimistic. Adding insult to injury, Rodón himself admitted a sense of frustration after the outing, saying, “Luckily those don’t count,” in reference to his inflated Spring Training ERA of 2.93 in 15.1 innings pitched. While Rodón tries to remain positive, his words carry a thinly veiled desperation. This lack of confidence, coupled with the Yankees’ precarious starting pitching depth, might be the reason why the fans are so stirred up.

Unsurprisingly, the fan reaction on social media was swift and harsh. “Can the Yankees get a refund on this clown?” asked one disillusioned supporter. “Maybe the worst contract out there,” commented another. More fans chimed in: “Yankees better hope they score 10 every night!” and “Typical of the guy to be at his worst when the Yankees give him a huge contract.” Even starker was a comment that read, “Oh how the mighty have fallen.” Concerns extend beyond disappointed fans, with market reports and analysts echoing similar sentiments.

In a report published by Empire Sports Media, they emphasize with a critical undertone: “The Yankees need all the value they invested in starting pitcher Carlos Rodón last off-season… Unfortunately, the 31-year-old had a disappointing 2023 season.” The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty reinforces this sentiment with a hint of sarcasm, stating that “Rodón didn’t give the Yankees much reason to party.” On the other hand, MLB insider Bryan Hoch offers a sliver of optimism, suggesting that the Yankees “hope to plant doubt in the minds of hitters who looked far too comfortable expecting fastballs and sliders from him (Rodón) last year.”

Although this indicates a potential shift in strategy designed to combat Rodón’s predictable pitching patterns, the urgency within the fanbase is understandable. With Cole out and Rodón failing to inspire confidence, the Yankees look dangerously thin in starting pitching. Nestor Cortes Jr., while a fan favorite, suffered arm fatigue and regression in 2023.

Read More: Yankees’ Margin for Error in 2024 Shrinks Dramatically Without Ace Gerrit Cole

The remaining options—Marcus Stroman, Clarke Schmidt, and a mix of unproven youngsters—leave much to be desired. With frustration mounting, many are wondering if the team might be forced to explore external options to solidify their starting rotation. This leads us to the intriguing possibility of a familiar arm returning to the Bronx…

Jordan Montgomery: The answer to the Yankees’ pitching woes?

The silver lining in this situation might be the surprising availability of one familiar face: Jordan Montgomery. Known for his reliability and control, the steady lefty has pitched well for the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers since his exit from the Bronx. Could a reunion be on the cards? Some believe it’s possible, stating that “Rodón’s encouraging sign entering the season” was that he felt strong despite getting shelled, but with Cole out, the question is whether the Yankees deem that sign encouraging enough.

Read More: Yankees to Go All Out for Jordan Montgomery? Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes Jr.’s Struggles Impact Bombers’ Rotation

While the team seeks to dominate the AL East once again, a string of injuries has left their previously strong pitching rotation exposed. This vulnerability highlights the potential value of a pitcher like Montgomery, whose consistent performance could provide much-needed stability to the staff.

The Yankees find themselves in a precarious position. With their most expensive investment, Carlos Rodón, underperforming and now their ace sidelined, time might be running out to make a move. Should the Yankees take a chance on bolstering their rotation with a proven, if unspectacular, starter like Montgomery? Or will they place their faith in Rodón bouncing back, risking an extended period of instability on the mound?