Starting pitcher Carlos Rodón signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the New York Yankees last winter, but his debut season with the team didn’t unfold as he had hoped. Hindered by multiple stints on the injured list, the left-handed pitcher only managed to make 14 starts and pitch 64.1 innings. His on-field performance also fell short, evidenced by a 6.85 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, along with 64 strikeouts. Currently in Tampa preparing for the upcoming season, Rodón discussed his challenging 2023 season with Greg Joyce of the New York Post.
Expressing his determination to rebound, Rodón acknowledged the need for improvement, admitting the weight of external pressures and critiques. Reflecting on the difficulty of maintaining resilience in the face of criticism, he emphasized the importance of toughness as a New York Yankee. Despite the trials of the past season, Rodón looks forward to a fresh start, ready to leave the setbacks behind and focus on the challenges ahead.
This Was a Much Different Offseason for Rodón
The left-handed pitcher is eager to recapture his form from the 2021-22 seasons in 2024. During those years, Rodón earned All-Star Game selections and achieved top-six finishes in Cy Young voting consecutively. Over a span of 310.2 innings, he compiled a 27-13 record with impressive stats including a 2.67 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 422 strikeouts.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman shared a positive update on Rodón’s offseason progress on January 18. Rodón elaborated further on the differences in his offseason routine during a conversation with Joyce.
“When a team invests significantly in you, they also invest a lot of time and communication,” he explained. “So it’s been productive. We’ve developed a solid plan, starting my throwing regimen earlier than usual and hitting the weight room sooner as well. I’ve been putting in extra work, ensuring I stay prepared.”
Is He the Yankees’ Starting Rotation X-Factor?
The New York Yankees are gearing up for the 2024 season with the aim of rebounding from their 82-80 performance in 2023. Despite improvements made to the roster by general manager Brian Cashman and his team, reports from SNY’s Andy Martino indicate that there were desires for further enhancements, particularly for the pitching staff.
Cashman acknowledged on January 18 that while there is potential for the Yankees’ rotation to excel if everything falls into place, he remains cautious about relying solely on that possibility. As of now, the starting five comprises Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole, Marcus Stroman, Clarke Schmidt, and Nestor Cortes, according to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource. Should Rodón manage to rediscover his All-Star caliber form showcased with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants, it could elevate the Yankees’ rotation from merely good to exceptional in a short span of time.
Michael Kay of the YES Network expressed strong confidence in Rodón’s potential impact for the 2024 season on January 18, stating via the YES Network’s X account (formerly Twitter), “I believe he will be a dominant force. I see him as the linchpin for the Yankees in their quest to reach championship level.”
Farewell, football… ✌️
HELLO, BASEBALL! ⚾#YANKSonYES ☀️ #RepBX pic.twitter.com/R6OIvmQgOF
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 12, 2024
After securing a lucrative deal with the Yankees last winter, Rodón is determined to validate his worth in the 2024 season and beyond.
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