Unbelievable Comeback in the Works for Yankees Ace!

When the New York Yankees secured Carlos Rodon with a substantial six-year, $162 million contract, the anticipation was that he would assume the role of the ideal No. 2 pitcher behind Gerrit Cole. However, the 2023 season unfolded as a testament to the need for improvement from Rodon. It was undeniably a disappointing year for the left-handed pitcher, but his struggles were influenced significantly by injuries. The pivotal factor affecting his subpar performance was the series of health setbacks he faced. Looking ahead to the 2024 season, it becomes evident that Rodon’s fitness and ability to overcome health challenges will play a crucial role in determining the Yankees’ success.

Given Rodon’s challenging year, the Yankees have actively pursued multiple high-caliber arms in the current offseason, signaling their recognition of the need to fortify their pitching staff. Even if Rodon had enjoyed the best season of his career, the team’s present outlook in the pitching department has been influenced by his 2023 performance. Despite the acquisition of Marcus Stroman, who is poised to contend for the No. 2 spot in the rotation, the Yankees acknowledge the potential for Rodon to reclaim his status as an ace-caliber pitcher, reminiscent of his stellar two-year stretch with the White Sox and Giants that led to his signing.

MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan identifies Rodon as a potential rebound candidate for the upcoming season, emphasizing the Yankees’ reliance on him to fulfill the No. 2 starter role they envisioned when signing him. However, concerns arise from Rodon’s advanced metrics, which ranked below the 45th percentile in various categories, including xERA, K%, BB%, Barrel%, GB%, and xBA, according to Baseball Savant. Additionally, his pitching run value, fastball run value, and breaking run value were below the 25th percentile, indicating broader challenges in his performance.

While the advanced statistics raise concerns, there remains hope that Rodon’s struggles in the previous season were an anomaly, and he could bounce back in the upcoming year. This optimism aligns with the Yankees’ aspirations to secure their first World Series since 2009, with Rodon’s resurgence being a pivotal factor in achieving that goal.