Yankees’ rotation confidence looks misplaced, trade miss may bite back

The Yankees’ choice to pass on acquiring Jack Flaherty at the July 30 trade deadline is drawing increasing scrutiny as their rotation continues to falter. While pinpointing the exact moment of regret is difficult, the current struggles suggest that the decision might prove to be a costly one.

At the time, passing on Flaherty, who eventually signed with the Dodgers, didn’t seem like a critical misstep, especially with the excitement surrounding the addition of Jazz Chisholm. However, the Yankees’ need for pitching depth was evident, and Flaherty, though not the biggest name on the market, was arguably the best available option. Other potential targets like Blake Snell and Garrett Crochet never became viable options.

Now, General Manager Brian Cashman finds himself in a precarious position, relying on hope and the potential return of Clarke Schmidt in September to stabilize the rotation. Since the trade deadline, the Yankees’ starting pitchers have struggled mightily, ranking among the worst in baseball for nearly two months.

The decline was highlighted in Thursday night’s loss to the Angels at Yankee Stadium, where Nestor Cortes labored in wet conditions. Cortes gave up six earned runs in just 4 2/3 innings, including a leadoff home run to Nolan Schanuel on the fourth pitch of the game.

Cortes’ recent performances have been particularly troubling. Over his last five starts, he has posted a 1-3 record with a concerning 9.26 ERA, making him a liability each time he takes the mound.

The Yankees’ rotation issues, epitomized by Cortes’ struggles, underscore the potential consequences of their inaction at the trade deadline. As the season progresses, the decision not to reinforce their pitching staff could have serious implications for their postseason hopes.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Nestor Cortes found some positives in his performance, expressing satisfaction with his command throughout the game. He admitted there were a few pitches he’d like to have back but overall felt he made several quality pitches.

However, Cortes’ optimistic self-assessment stands in stark contrast to the results on the field, reflecting a troubling trend for the Yankees’ starting rotation. Since June 15, in a span of 44 starts, Yankees’ starters have collectively posted a 6.26 ERA, the highest in the major leagues. Their 1.49 WHIP is the second-worst during this period, and they have only managed to pitch 217 innings, averaging just 4.9 innings per start—also among the lowest in the majors.

This extended stretch of subpar performance is raising concerns, especially as the most recent rotation cycle, coinciding with the trade deadline, offered little sign of improvement. Gerrit Cole was skipped in the rotation due to illness, while Marcus Stroman sat out to address mechanical issues.

Despite these alarming trends, Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains confident in his rotation. When asked about his trust in the starters following Thursday’s defeat, Boone expressed unwavering belief, insisting the team possesses all the necessary pieces to succeed.

Interestingly, beyond reigning Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, rookie Luis Gil might be emerging as the most reliable starter in the rotation. Gil, who has already surpassed his previous single-season innings record after returning from Tommy John surgery, continues to deliver impressive metrics. There’s growing optimism that the 26-year-old can maintain his effectiveness into October, despite a brief slump in late June.

Gerrit Cole shares this confidence, expressing faith in Gil’s ability to step up in high-pressure situations as the season progresses.

Luis Gil has emerged as a key asset for the Yankees, boasting a 12-5 record and a 3.06 ERA over 117 2/3 innings. Despite the heavy workload, his fastball velocity has remained steady in the high 90s, and he showed increased sharpness during the final innings of his recent 107-pitch start. The Yankees’ strategy of giving Gil extra rest days and carefully managing his pitch count appears to be paying off.

This meticulous approach could make Gil a crucial part of the Yankees‘ playoff rotation, which is increasingly important given the current state of their pitching staff. While Gerrit Cole is expected to anchor the rotation, he’s still working his way back from elbow issues, reflected in his 5.09 ERA. Cole’s next start against the Rangers will be a critical test of his recovery.

Manager Aaron Boone remains confident in Cole, noting the high expectations the team has whenever he takes the mound, given the consistently elite level Cole has established throughout his career.

However, the rest of the Yankees’ rotation has become a significant concern. After a strong start to the season, the group behind Cole has faltered. Carlos Rodon, who signed a $162 million contract to be the team’s number two starter, has struggled with inconsistency.

Marcus Stroman has also faced difficulties, posting a 7.56 ERA over his last six starts, which led to a brief hiatus for mechanical adjustments. Since late June, Stroman has been hit hard, with opponents batting .355 against him and an OPS of 1.000. He’s averaged just over four innings per start during this stretch, only once pitching beyond the fifth inning. The Yankees have a significant financial investment in Stroman, with $37 million owed through 2025 and a potential $18 million vesting option if he reaches 140 innings this season.

Stroman has acknowledged his recent struggles but pointed out that he had strong stretches earlier in the season, maintaining a balanced perspective on his overall contributions.

For the Yankees to secure their position in the AL East and prepare for a deep postseason run, they’ll need more consistent and effective performances from their entire rotation.

Yankees let Stroman find his groove with a few extra days

Marcus Stroman, known for his intuitive approach to pitching, has faced challenges for over a month. To address his struggles, the Yankees have adjusted their rotation, allowing Stroman extra time to regain his form.

Originally slated to start on Thursday night, Stroman’s outing was rescheduled to Sunday. Manager Aaron Boone announced the change before Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Angels, with Nestor Cortes taking Stroman’s place on Thursday.

Stroman, who has posted a 0-3 record and a 7.56 ERA over his last six starts, welcomed the scheduling adjustment. He sees it as a chance to focus on refining his pitching and believes he has gained valuable insights. Stroman is using this break as an opportunity to reset before his next start.

Before his recent downturn, which began on June 28 in Toronto where he lasted only 4 1/3 innings, Stroman had been effective with a 7-3 record and a 3.15 ERA. While he spoke generally about his recent adjustments, he noted that his difficulties were confined to a few poor starts.

During his bullpen sessions, Stroman has concentrated on achieving consistency in his delivery. He aims to ensure that his mechanics are repeatable and that he can pitch with confidence. Stroman feels he has made the necessary adjustments to address his recent issues.

As he prepared for his bullpen session before Thursday’s game, Stroman expressed optimism about the improvements he has made and his readiness for his next start.

Manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about Marcus Stroman’s recent progress on Wednesday, highlighting a productive bullpen session the pitcher had on Tuesday. Boone emphasized the need for Stroman to consistently replicate this performance and noted that the pitcher seemed mentally prepared for the adjustments he has been working on.

Stroman, a 33-year-old veteran with a career record of 84-82 and a 3.69 ERA, including a 7-6 record and 4.10 ERA this season, acknowledged that mechanical issues are not unusual in his experience. Reflecting on his decade in the majors, Stroman pointed out that he has faced and corrected similar challenges before with a few adjustments.

Stroman’s last start against the Blue Jays on Friday was concerning, as he allowed seven runs and eight hits in just 2 2/3 innings, marking his shortest outing of the season. This performance was marked by a decrease in his fastball velocity, though both Boone and Stroman minimized concerns about the drop, with Stroman emphasizing his reliance on pitch location and movement rather than velocity.

Stroman stressed that his effectiveness relies more on pitch placement and the movement of his sinker, which induces ground balls from batters when it’s performing well.

Despite the frustration of this rough stretch, Stroman is focused on regaining his form for the critical final part of the season. With the Yankees tied for first place in the AL East with the Orioles, Stroman understands the importance of his performance as the team aims for the division title and a potential playoff run.

Stroman’s goal aligns with the Yankees’ objective of reaching peak performance levels as they head into the playoffs, a sentiment he believes is shared by his teammates.

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