Some things never really change. From the roar of Yankee Stadium to the sea of pinstripes and the anticipations before the first pitch – these are the constant traditions that make baseball in the Bronx more than just a regular game. Every season comes with its own story, challenges, and sometimes, the kind that tests a team’s very identity. And this year, when the Yankees were preparing to defend the American League pennant, they faced a disturbing and unexpected blow.
The dominant ace of the Yankees’ pitching rotation, Gerrit Cole, has unfortunately been sidelined for this season as he has to undergo Tommy John surgery. This will certainly leave a gaping hole at the top of the rotation and a sense of uncertainty across the entire fanbase. No team could imagine performing after losing their best pitcher, particularly not the one with championship aspirations. But for now, the Yankees aren’t panicking. Instead, they’re focusing on adjusting, pivoting, and leaning to their depth. But guess what? That’s not all.
Here comes the twist—WFAN’s Keith McPherson, a trusted voice in Yankees circles, isn’t convinced with the doom-and-gloom narrative. He took it to X and backed the team’s resilience, adding to the belief that this squad isn’t built to crumble. He said, “The Yankees rotation last year stepped up, and they’re gonna step up again.” Turns out, he believes Max Fried, Will Warren, and Carlos Carrasco are ready to take on the bigger roles, and the Yankees are stepping up to the next-man-up mindset.
“The Yankees rotation last year stepped up, and they’re gonna step up again”
Keith isn’t giving up on the Yankees season despite the crushing injuries. Listen:https://t.co/e6WciTjI4n pic.twitter.com/KjG8KjMYIA
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 11, 2025
For Bronx Bombers, this is a familiar territory. They’ve battled well with the setbacks in the past, and they’ve always navigated a way to fight it. Losing Gerrit Cole is a gut punch, although it doesn’t necessarily mean the Yankees are out of the light. The season has a long way to go, and the team isn’t backing down.
Blocking a Gerrit Cole replacement is all about Hal Steinbrenner’s budget
The Yankees are in a tough spot at the moment. And let’s face it, money isn’t the issue; it’s the reluctance to spend it. Presently, New York’s payroll sits at a hefty $293.8 million. Apparently, it’s the fourth-highest in baseball. They’ve already crossed three of the four luxury tax limits, and they’re now just $3 million away from hitting the harsh “Cohen Tax” level. If they cross that mark, each extra dollar spent would come with a harsh 110% tax and Hal Steinbrenner has made it clear that he won’t be paying it.
For a small-market team, this hesitation would somehow make sense. But here we’re talking about the New York Yankees, a team with global appeal and some of the highest revenue digits in the sport. What does it mean for the Yankees right now? On paper, they have a firm rotation of Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman, and Will Warren. Luis Gil is also set to make a comeback later in the season. If any other injury happens, the Yankees depth can entirely crumble.
Veteran arms like Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, and Spencer Turnbull are still available on the market. They’re the kind of depth pieces the Yankees would need. But Steinbrenner won’t budge. Just in case, if stars like Sandy Alcantara or Dylan Cease become available midseason, will the Yankees pass on them just to save a few million? If that happens, the Yankees fans certainly won’t forget, and they will definitely not forgive.
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