MLB Analyst believes that the New York Yankees can clinch the AL division next season - "They might be AL favorites with Carlos Rodon"
The New York Yankees strengthened their team this offseason by re-signing their star slugger and reigning AL MVP, Aaron Judge, bringing in Carlos Rodon as another brute of a starting pitcher, and by giving a lucrative contract to first baseman Anthony Rizzo to extend his stay in the Bronx.
The Yankee administration placed focus on finding a left-fielder as soon as the 2022 season came to a fitting end, and while they added the top three acquisitions this offseason, they still haven't been able to find one elusive player to play in left field. Instead, they have maximized the depth of their bullpen.
MLB pundits and all major baseball analysts are of the opinion that, despite their left-field hole, the New York Yankees still possess a roster to be reckoned with. The depth of their positional players and bullpen demonstrates that Yankee management is keeping their promises to their fans, as they made all the right moves after the 2022 season.
Players on the 40-man roster we may see in left field at some point for the #Yankees in 2023:
-Oswaldo Cabrera
-Aaron Hicks
-Giancarlo Stanton
-Estevan Florial
-Everson Pereira (#5 prospect)
#MLB
"Players on the 40-man roster we may see in left field at some point for the Yankees in 2023" - J_Finchy1
The Yankees knew that just by resigning, Judge wouldn't cut the deal going into the 2023 season, since other ballclubs like the Phillies, the Mets, the Rangers, and the Cubs already had him.
To compete against the best, you have to be the best, and the New York Yankees seem to have done pretty well this off-season to fight for that elusive World Series trophy.
Carlos Rodon Possesses the Talent to provide their Extra winning depth to the New York Yankees Picthing Elites
The 30-year-old Carlos Rodon pitched for the Giants in 2022 and recorded a 2.88 ERA, placing sixth in the race for the NL Cy Young Award and earning a spot in the All-Star Game for the second consecutive year.
He pitched a career-high 178 innings last season, demonstrating outstanding longevity while allaying concerns about his injury history and demonstrating just how deadly his strong fastball-slider combination can be, which rattled the hitters throughout the season.
Carlos Rodón's slider is one of the filthiest pitches in all of baseball don't @ me
https://t.co/8os19Pb8Zb
"Carlos Rodón's slider is one of the filthiest pitches in all of baseball" - ChiSoxFanMike
Carlos Rodon provides much-needed depth to the starting rotation and is, in fact, the No. 2 pitcher currently sitting behind Gerrit Cole. The New York Yankees had to resort to some makeshift starters last season and didn't have many LHP starters (Nestor Cortes) in the rotation, which has now been resolved by management.
It will be interesting to see whether Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman's gambles pay off next season and whether the high expectations infused within this Yankee roster pay off in gold.