The New York Yankees can’t seem to escape the injury bug. Following a 2023 season where significant names missed stretches of games, concerns have already flared anew. Their undisputed ace, Gerrit Cole, is facing elbow troubles. The diagnosis could have been far worse—say, an unprecedented Tommy John surgery—but with the season mere days away, can the Yankees afford to simply wait and hope? SNY TV suggests the answer is a resounding “no.”

With such a high-stakes season ahead, is banking on a swift Cole recovery a recipe for disaster? Should the Yankees take a bolder, more proactive approach?

New York Yankees: Risk vs. Reward in Waiting for Cole

“Banking on the notion that Cole will be pitching like his Cy Young Award-winning self again by June, July or any time this season would be a potentially foolish mistake,” posits insider John Harper. It’s a stark assessment, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding Cole.

Even a successful course of treatment leaves unanswered questions: How will his pitching mechanics be affected? Will fear of recurrence linger, impacting his velocity and pitch selection?

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Read More: Gerrit Cole’s Cy Young Chances in Jeopardy? Yankees Ace’s Injury Absence Dashes Award Hopes

The New York Yankees know firsthand what persistent injury concerns can do. They watched Jacob deGrom’s struggles after his initial diagnosis. And while a power pitcher like Cole differs in style, the common thread of diminished effectiveness is chilling.

Furthermore, it is a fact that the Bombers were already considered potentially one starter short of a contending rotation before this news. The risks of counting on a less-than-stellar Cole multiply those concerns. Should the team roll the dice on internal replacements in a season where everything—from their championship window to Juan Soto’s tenure—hangs in the balance?

Proactive Solutions for the Yankees’ Rotation

Fortunately for the Yankees, options do exist. Several market reports argue that the availability of pitchers like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery in the free agency market is a blessing in disguise. Both offer significant upside, even with potential drawbacks.

Snell is a high-ceiling, high-risk pitcher, while Montgomery provides a known quantity, potentially with lingering animosity toward the Yankees due to his trade. The New York Yankees fan base might balk at their price, but as Harper notes, “Fans spend a fortune going to Yankee games; Hal Steinbrenner can take the luxury-tax hit and be just fine, thank you.” The idea that adding an arm as Cole’s replacement and not replacing Cole himself for future seasons is a more palatable move offers an intriguing justification.

Montgomery, in particular, could be a crucial addition. His postseason experience and proven effectiveness provide an insurance policy regardless of Cole’s return. With the right contract, Montgomery’s past disagreements with the organization could be smoothed over. This would deepen the rotation and add a vital element of consistency—a major boon considering past injury troubles for Nestor Cortes Jr. and Carlos Rodon.

Read More: MLB Rumors: Yankees Eye Michael Lorenzen as Cost-Effective Plan B to Blake Snell in Wake of Gerrit Cole Injury

The Gerrit Cole injury saga has introduced significant complexities into the Bombers’ 2024 campaign. While a sense of relief over avoiding surgery may linger, insider voices like John Harper’s urge for a far more proactive response. The potential consequences of waiting for Cole’s return are simply too great.

The New York Yankees may feel comfortable internally for the moment, but the rest of the league won’t let them off the hook so easily. Taking a calculated gamble on a new arm—regardless of the price factor—could very well be the difference between a season of success and a season of watching opportunities slip away like sand between fingers.