Contract Yankees Handed Star Signing Rodon Could Become 'Nightmare' Soon
When the New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole in 2019 to the largest contract ever handed out to a starting pitcher at the time, it gave them the ace they desperately needed to chase another World Series title.
Things haven't worked out as it was imagined since he joined the team, but that's been no fault of his own.
Cole has a 51-23 record and a 3.08 ERA across 108 starts since becoming a Yankee. He's finished top-5 in Cy Young voting three out of his four years in New York and finally won the award following the 2023 season.
To take things to the next level, the Yankees wanted to add another elite starter to pair with Cole.
They decided to sign Carlos Rodon to a six-year, $162 million deal before this past year after he posted back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022 with ERAs of 2.37 and 2.88 respectively.
Things did not get off to a good start with the left-hander on the team.
He began 2023 on the injured list with a forearm strain and missed more time with a back injury, before finally being activated in the summer.
But once he started playing, it was more than lackluster.
His 3-8 record and 6.85 ERA across 14 starts was a concerning beginning to his tenure in New York and could signal disaster for years to come.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report thinks this contract will eventually become a nightmare for the Yankees.
"Everyone already knew last offseason that Carlos Rodon was an injury risk. He pitched a full, 178-inning season in 2022, but only after averaging 73.0 innings pitched over the previous five years ... But he has now had two great seasons and three atrocious, injury-riddled seasons in the past five years, and the great seasons might have been fools' gold," he writes.
If that's the case, New York is in major trouble.
Things have not been up to the Yankee standard the past few years after missing the playoffs last season and having not made the World Series since they last won it in 2009.
Rodon was supposed to be a piece that could help them get back to the top of baseball.
If he doesn't have a bounce back season, he could be a major reason why they continue to have a championship drought.
