Barring the market drastically coming down, this is it.
It was a move that had to happen and they got it done.
My day gets better every time.
That helps you solve a lot of issues.
Hearing that The Martian is progressing from surgery and expected back in the Summer is awesome news.
c’mon give me a 2-3-4 of Judge, Soto, and Dominguez.
Hey maybe even Giancarlo Stanton does something with his new diet?
Alright let’s not too ahead of ourselves.
In terms of the rotation, the Yankees needed to add two starters to feel good about themselves.
Well, they added one with Marcus Stroman.
I’ve already explained my thoughts on Stromanhere.
So far so good with yesterday’s opening media session.
He seemed genuinely excited and giddy to be here and get going.
Him and Cashman apparently squashed their beef immediately as they set sights on him joining this team.
Regardless, the dude just has to realize if he pitches well here they will love you.
If you suck they’ll boo you.
It goes for everyone.
Gerrit Cole got booed in 2022.
Now he’s beloved.
I’d kill for him if he asked.
Just do your job and good things will happen.
Am I confident in Stroman being the team’s number 2?
Not in the slightest.
In fact, it’s pretty concerning.
If he returns to form then the Yankees are full speed ahead.
Look at this skinny bastard!
Rodon’s first year in New York was an unmitigated disaster.
He was out of shape and injured all year.
When he finally got on the mound in the second half of the season, the results were abysmal.
We need him to turn this around otherwise they have no shot at a title.
If Rodon can pitch like the guy they signed he slots in as the true number two behind Cole.
Kinda of a 1A/1B situation.
That gives you a five man looking like this.
The worry there is that shoulder issues, more specifically rotator cuff, never really go away.
Clarke Schmidt had a positive 2023 and discovered an ability to pitch in to lefties.
He’s got upside, but having him slotted as the number five is a good thing.
When you look at potential, it’s definitely there for this Yankees starting rotation.
That unfortunately comes with a dangerous health gamble, as per usual with this team.
Banking on Rodon and Nestor to have healthy 2024s is risky.
Hoping Stroman doesn’t break down like he did in the second half will have you holding your breath.
And what happens if one or multiple pieces crumble?
This is all assuming Cole is Cole, by the way.
No reason to think he won’t be, but it puts a ton of pressure on him.
The depth beyond that 5 is troubling.
Luke Weaver as your next best option?
Then you’re turning to prospects like Clayton Beeter, Will Warren, and Chase Hampton.
All three of those guys have solid to big time upside, but again, they’re kids.
Sure, but you’d rather more assurances.
In a perfect world the Yankees find a way to execute a trade for Corbin Burnes.
Unfortunately the Brewers are either not entertaining serious offers or are holding his price tag sky high.
They wanted to pay Yamamoto handsomely, but he clearly only wanted to play for the Dodgers with Ohtani.
They’ve reportedly offered Snell 6 years, $150M.
Both would obviously strengthen this rotation, but I see the reservations.
So if this it for the rotation it obviously has upside, but man are there red flags.
you could easily see the path to this falling apart and it’s right in front of us.
Cashman has a fetish for relying on injury prone pitchers.
In 2024 it’ll be no different.
