Blake Snell to Yankees Whispers Grow Louder With Every Carlos Rodon Clunker

Published 03/07/2024, 1:00 PM EST

So far, everything about the Yankees has been very likable, except a bit of Aaron Judge and a lot of Carlos Rodon. I know that it’s just spring training, so don’t attack me, but this has got to be concerning, right? In just two spring outings spanning 5.2 innings, he’s already given up 3 home runs, and his electric fastball from his 2022 All-Star season seems to have lost some zip. So should this mean Cashman re-enters (if he ever left) talks with Blake Snell? Maybe?

Rodon’s 2023 campaign was marred by injuries, culminating in an unsettling 6.85 ERA across 14 starts. This distressing trend has seeped into his spring training performances, spotlighting his struggle to regain form. At the same, Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young awardee, remains unsigned, with no clear signs of a deal anytime soon.

Carlos Rodon’s spring training disappointment strengthens Blake Snell’s case for Yankees

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The Yankees’ rotation, spearheaded by Gerrit Cole and bolstered by the likes of Stroman, Nestor Cortes Jr., and Clarke Schmidt, holds promise but is not without its question marks, particularly with Rodon’s faltering reliability. Where is his 2022 fastball, which took him to the All-Star game? In his outing vs the Tigers, his average fastball velocity was stuck up at 93.2mph, with his fastest pitch being 94.8mph and that’s scary.

Snell’s pedigree is undeniable, yet his suitors highlight a rather complicated MLB market, with over $300 Million spent on an unsigned Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but barely touching that surface for Snell. Notably, the Yankees are already teetering at the edge of the CBT, which makes the Snell decision even harder to take. Should they go above and beyond (almost paying double due to the luxury tax), to accommodate Snell, or start the season and reassess at the trade deadline?

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With Rodon’s spring performance inducing anxiety—reflected in a concerning 6.35 ERA and three conceded home runs across two starts—the argument for an eleventh-hour pursuit of Snell gains momentum. His acquisition could not only recalibrate the Yankees’ pitching dynamics but also inject a psychological boost, reigniting aspirations to break their World Series drought since 2009.

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As the countdown to Opening Day narrows, the Yankees’ rotation remains their biggest question mark. Snell in pinstripes could be completely unrelated to Rodon reclaiming his rhythm, but I’m worried about Rodon, and I’m sure that you are, too. What next? Only time will tell. But we sit aside, and brace for impact.

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Written by:

Mohsin Baldiwala, an experienced MLB writer at EssentiallySports, holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in public policy. His journey into the heart of baseball is as unique as it is charming, taking root in the quirky universe of 'Seinfeld.' It was through the endearingly hapless George Costanza, a character with his own comedic ties to the New York Yankees, that Mohsin first glimpsed the allure of the storied franchise.

Blake Snell to Yankees Whispers Grow Louder With Every Carlos Rodon Clunker

Carlos Rodon’s spring training disappointment strengthens Blake Snell’s case for Yankees

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