“Risk Long-Term Injury”: As Debates Over Shutting Down Aaron Judge Heat Up, Fans Remain Divided on Gerrit Cole’s Future

The New York Yankees roster will have to undergo almost a complete overhaul if they are to compete for the championship next season. Or so the fanbase would have you believe. Most Yankees fans will tell you that the majority of the team is not up to par and needs some major improvements before it can start meeting their expectations. And with some of the season yet to go, discussions around shutting players down have begun to emerge.

The Pinstripes sport several bona fide stars on their roster who, despite reliable names, have not turned up with the performances to match. In fact, with their captain, Aaron Judge‘s injury record in the league so far, many have been actively advocating that the star not risk any more injury to start off next season and instead be shut off for the rest of the year after the Yankees’ postseason pursuit has all but ended.

New York Yankees’ Roster Needs Rest?

Despite featuring some of baseball’s most prominent faces and skillsets, the Yankees performances have failed to hit the mark this season. With the batting stars failing, however, it was the bullpen rotation that kept them in contention in the first half of the season. And ace Gerrit Cole had a big part to play in their initial run.

With over 200 innings pitched and 14-4 record on his starts so far, Cole has been a defensive masterclass this season. With an ERA of just 2.75 in 2023, the ace is certainly in Cy Young contention with many even giving him the crown before the award ceremony.

However, with workload management now rearing its head as well, the question that many fans are asking is if the star should be shut down for the rest of the season to prepare effectively for the injury management. With social media serving as the ideal foil, the Bronx fanbase was discussing with a fervor.

Should Gerrit Cole be rested?

Most discussion on the subject was mainly around what possible positives and negatives that Cole can offer the Pinstripes for the remainder of the season. Particularly when it comes to the rest of the league.

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Some fans were however of the counter opinion. Choosing to make sure that Cole is assured of laurels for his season instead of simply what could be a more forward looking approach.

Another fan however, seemed to be just about done with this season in the Bronx and wanted it all to just peter out into the sunset.

The Cy Young remains the focus for the ace but with the rest of the Yankees not really seeing much to gain from the rest of the season perhaps the wisest thing would be to shut down the ace. Then again, can you be sure of the Cy Young yet?

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