Yankees Spin Carlos Rodon’s Revamp as PR Move to Quell Blake Snell Desperation and Lower Price?

The New York Yankees aren’t just sweating out Spring Training–they’re playing a high-stakes chess match with one of baseball’s most notorious agents, Scott Boras. Blake Snell, Boras’ client and an elite ace, seemed destined for Pinstripes. That was until their much-scrutinized ace, Carlos Rodon, showed up leaner, meaner, and seemingly ready to shake off his injury-prone past. Is this “new” Rodon a genuine comeback story or a cunning PR play designed to give the Yankees leverage in the Snell negotiations?

It doesn’t take a lot of wits to see how Rodon’s cinematic transformation makes him the unlikely wildcard in this blockbuster baseball drama. If he stays healthy and pitches like the ace he’s always threatened to be, will Boras be forced to back down on his massive $270 million asking price for Snell? Will the Bombers’ gamble on Rodon pay off, or are they setting themselves up for another postseason disappointment?

Carlos Rodon’s Physical Evolution: There’s Definitely More Than Meets the Eye

Let’s rewind to 2023. Rodon’s inaugural Yankee season was a rollercoaster of frustration. The flashes of brilliance everyone expected were too often overshadowed by injuries, leaving a lingering sense of unfulfilled potential. That disastrous outing against the Kansas City Royals, marked by his labored exit and heated exchange with pitching coach Matt Blake, seemed to symbolize it all.

Cut to Spring Training 2024, and the metamorphosis is startling. Rodon isn’t just fitter—he exudes a new level of athleticism. The transformation speaks to a rigorous off-season program focused on strength, agility, measured diets, and injury prevention. His trademark fastball reportedly clocks consistently higher on the radar gun (97 mph to date), hinting at increased power and explosiveness. Furthermore, whispers from inside the clubhouse suggest newfound consistency in his mechanics, pointing to the possibility of greater control and command.

While some skeptics remain, Carlos Rodon’s change isn’t merely cosmetic. “I think last year I was moving a little wonky down the mound. I was trying to find it the whole year and just couldn’t find it,” the ace admitted to The Post after a Saturday bullpen session. It certainly looks like he has found “it” at last!

“This year I made that a main concern in the offseason to figure out my move and what I was moving down the mound… I just want to hold that and keep how I move on the mound in my brain. I just don’t want to forget it. I’m always thinking about it.” This newfound self-awareness, coupled with his visible efforts, suggests a genuine shift in mindset—a determination to leave past disappointments behind. But is it just going to be a flash in the pan—or a rise to stardom? How long can Rodon maintain his form?

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Rodon’s Fitness Transformation: Fluke or Fix?

Industry experts know that a lean physique doesn’t automatically translate to on-field dominance. The critical test for Carlos Rodon is sustainability. He has a well-documented history of inconsistency and injuries. It’s a long season filled with potential pitfalls that may throw him off track.

But whispers about his improved pitch control and velocity are intriguing. This suggests that Rodon has found a formula to unlock his strengths for longer periods of time. Yankees skipper Aaron Boone’s comments to industry expert Bryan Hoch add fuel to the fire: “From where he is right now to 12 months ago, it’s night and day… He’s just in a way better place. He had the offseason and the winter that he needed to have to give himself the best chance to be successful. He’s checked that first box.”

However, the Pinstripes aren’t just banking on Rodon’s resolve. This public emphasis on his progress has strategic undertones. Are they hoping the buzz creates a smokescreen around their now-stalled negotiations with free agent Blake Snell? Perhaps the message to his agent, Scott Boras, is subtle but clear: Snell’s a superstar, but so is this revitalized version of Rodon. Don’t assume we’re desperate for another arm at any cost.

Blake Snell in Yankees’ Rearview?

Let’s cut to the chase: Blake Snell is a massive upgrade to any rotation. A Cy Young winner with undeniable pedigree, he checks all the boxes for a frontline ace. However, he also comes with the financial baggage typical of a Scott Boras client. And that’s where Rodon’s resurgence creates fascinating ripple effects.

See, as recently as last season, shelling out the big bucks for Snell seemed like a logical, even necessary, step for the Yankees. Rodon’s inconsistency left a massive question mark in their rotation. In 2024, if Rodon lives up to his Spring Training hype, that situation suddenly changes. Why break the bank for Snell when they might already have their ace?

Sure, you could argue for the value of having two studs atop the rotation—just look at the Houston Astros with their Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez duo. Yet, even with the luxury of a wealthy owner, financial flexibility has its benefits. It might make more sense to bolster the bullpen or chase after another bat in a position of need if Carlos Rodon stays dominant, considering he already has Gerrit Cole and Marcus Stroman to throw fireballs beside.

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If the potential return is similar, does spending extra millions on Snell truly change the Yankees’ status as title contenders? The prospect of “Rodon, the Revitalized” could force Boras to reevaluate his initial demands, giving the Yankees the chance to dictate terms in the Snell negotiations.

The Uncertain Future

The truth is, Rodon’s transformation casts a long shadow over the entire Snell/Boras ordeal. This isn’t as much about making Blake Snell expendable as it is about forcing Scott Boras to confront the harsh reality that “elite” doesn’t necessarily guarantee overpayment when his client isn’t the only viable path to dominance for a megalithic clubhouse like the New York Yankees.

Now, with a healthier, dominant Rodon, everything hinges on consistency. For every blistering inning he pitches, another piece of leverage gets placed on the Yankees’ side of the negotiating table. If Rodon proves he isn’t the injury-prone question mark we all saw in 2023, Snell’s acquisition loses that sense of urgency and becomes more of a calculated choice than a panicked must-have.

However, if old habits resurface—that is to say, if Carlos Rodon, once again, falters when it matters—the entire dynamic inverts. The pressure swings back to the Bombers’ front office; the blame game of missing out on yet another pitching phenom starts to roll—kicking the desperation meter into high gear. Do they take another costly gamble on the inconsistent Rodon, or finally bite the bullet and cough up the hefty price demanded for and by Snell? It’s a gamble in either direction, and that’s precisely why Rodon’s early-season form carries such immense weight.

Read More: Carlos Rodon’s 2024 Projections: Ready to Bounce Back as an All-Star Force?

The story of Rodon’s resurgence is still being written. Whether his transformation serves as a tactical negotiation strategy or as a legitimate turning point in his career, his journey holds considerable sway over the ongoing Blake Snell bidding war (or should we call it a Cold War?) and the future of the New York Yankees’ pitching arsenal for 2024.