There are many words to describe the New York Yankees in 2023. One concise way to put it: forgettable. From an absent offense to a periodically stunting defense, injuries still stand as their most apparent problem. After another horrific start against arch-American League East Division rivals – Houston Astros, the MLB heavyweights are down with another unexpected problem.
Since 2009, the Pinstripes have failed to make it to a single World Series. The most glorious, and storied franchise in the history of American sports is fielding a team with a payroll surpassing $280 million in 2023, and their saving grace in the offseason was the acquisition of ace Carlos Rodon and the retention of Aaron Judge. However, both these signings, which go beyond $480 million, have proved to be “Perfect Brian Cashman” signings – “bad and injury prone.”
And as the Yanks take on the Houston Astros in the fourth game of a 2-1 series, the condition has just worsened.
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Carlos Rodon is Back to Warming the Bench
In the recent past, the Houston Astros have proved themselves as the best American League team, but not in this series on the road, where the Bronx Bombers are up 2-1. Dragging the momentum to the fourth game of the series, Gleyber Torres homered in the first innings and took the Yankees 1-0. However, the second innings summed up Carlos Rodon’s poor start in Pinstripes. The story of conceding excess walks continued, and Rodon gave away 3 runs in the second, before giving another 2 in the third.
Carlos Rod?n has been removed from the game with an apparent injury pic.twitter.com/OSc80PjKHd
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 6, 2023
Visibly uncomfortable, Aaron Boone stepped on the field and pulled his starter with broadcasters and fans suspecting another injury. Notably, Rodon’s start in Pinstripes was delayed after the offseason due to a back injury. Since his return on July 7th, the 2x All-Star pitcher hasn’t been the same ace as he was with the Giants and White Sox.
Fans were visibly unhappy, so much so that they even booed the pitcher when he left the field. To be fair, Rodon’s five starts, with an ERA of 7.33 hasn’t done justice to his $162 million contract.
This is how infuriated New Yorkers reacted:
Carlos Rodon is the perfect Cashman signing – bad AND injury prone!
— David Burrick (@dburrick) August 6, 2023
Count your days Carlos Rodon, you kremepuff
— Tom Riddle (@Sham4rmDaRose) August 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/RyanLandron/status/1688264685294940160?s=20
Carlos Rod?n might be the worst signing the Yankees did since Jacoby Ellsbury
— Logan Salsano (@thelogansalsano) August 6, 2023
While dissing Rodon for his poor season, one fan did not forget to express his anger against the criticized Yankees GM, Brian Cashman. Notably, Cashman has been on the radar this season, especially for the kind of poor offseason the Yankees had this year.
Carlos Rodon really showed what a sucker Brian Cashman is, or whoever said he was worth that kind of contract. #Yankees
— full pro (@realfullpro) August 6, 2023
Carlos Rodon is a disgrace. And it?s karma for going at the fanbase the way he did.
— Michael J. Eccleston (@dropthemike_4) August 6, 2023
Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino have been a disappointment for the Yankees. Moreover, with Domingo German also being out, the Yanks have a major hole in their defense. After all, how much can Gerrit Cole do alone?
Can the New York Yankees Still Make the Playoffs?
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As of now, the New York Yankees are fourth in the AL East, the most competitive division with 58 wins and 53 losses, and fighting really hard against the Astros. However, they are only four games away from a wild card spot, with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays in the middle.
Do you think the New York Yankees still have it in them to make it to the postseason? The journey will definitely not be easy, but it’s far from impossible. And maybe they are picking pace again… But as they say, hope breeds eternal misery.
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Only time will tell now!
Watch This Story:?Yankees GM?s Sneaky Move ? How It Pinned Aaron Boone and Shocked Fans Years Ago