Yankees Solutions for Starting Staff Washing Out in April
The weather is horrible. The season is in its infancy. To be fair, it's far from panic time. However, the Yankees’ patchwork of replacement starters, unlike in 2024, is not holding up their end. When Gerrit Cole missed most of the first half of the season. The starters, led by AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, were able to absorb the loss. Now, with Cole out for the year and Gil now out for a good portion of it, the replacements are not holding their own. Max Fried, thus far, is the only constant followed by a collection of horrible performances.
A look at the ERA chart after 13 games is a clear indication. Fried has a 1.56 ERA. The other starters, Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Carrasco, and Will Warren, combined have an above 12.00 ERA combined. On a nasty, wet evening last night at Yankee Stadium, Stroman gave up five runs in a single inning alone. This is not going to keep the Yankees in the hunt. The fact that the AL East is average is the only reason the Yankees are even in the conversation.
The excuses are numerous. It's the weather, or it's the elite pitching or not getting calls. It's the culture of losing. Aaron Boone continues to not have the answers or is content with the numbers and not reading the room. There are things that can be and moves that are available. This requires creativity, and that is not a Yankee forte.
This problem needs addressing. Carrasco was already released by the Yankees. Stroman was diagnosed with a knee problem after this last start. This is the perfect time to end this relationship. The minors have enough arms to duplicate the worst of Stroman. Any improvement means solid starts, and that means that the offense does not need to score nine to ten runs a game to ensure victory. The trade route is another option with Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins, who has an ERA under four, which would place him second on the current staff. The price would be Spencer Jones plus at least two to three top prospects. However, that would bring, when healthy, a top liner to pair with Fried, as Rodon cannot be depended on to be a two or a three. Another way is a little more patience, as Clarke Schmidt is due back this month and would bring much-needed depth back to the rotation. Whatever way you look at it, the Yankees need starting strength to avoid overloading a bullpen that will already be taking up a major load throughout this season or risk washing out in 2025.
