March 11, 2024
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FROM MLBTR:
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My Quick Thoughts follow.
I'll begin by starting my reactions to what is the worst case scenario:
(1) If Gerrit Cole is injured, the Yankees' 2024 season is in jeopardy. I don't see how the Yankees can withstand an injury to not only their best starting pitcher, but the only starting pitcher without any question marks. If Cole is injured, this is a disaster.
(2) Many (many many many) on the site have argued with me regarding Aaron Judge in centerfield. I don't think it's amart for the Yankees to put Judge, at 32, in a position that requires a lot more running and physicality than a corner outfield spot. While this is different, it is, in many ways, to me, the same. Baseball players break. They age. They wear down. Gerrit Cole has thrown a ton of big innings for the Yankees since he signed with them. He isn't getting any younger. When a team has a cornerstone player, they should not subject that player to undue risks. Not only is Gerrit Cole essential for the Yankees to win in 2024, he's signed for a gazillion more years. The same is true of Judge. If either (or both) are hurt, the Yankees' chances of success dwindle. Dramatically. In fact, they plummet. The Yankees spend a lot of money, but they have (obvious) limits. Cole and Judge take up a ton of the space available for player salaries. Injuries to either player negatively impact on the team's chances to win and to find ways to replace them. (Just to be clear, I don't think the Yankees put Gerrit Cole in harm's way. Injuries happen. They just do. THat's why Judge, who are putting in harm's way, shouldn't be in centerfield.)
(3) I have said, a gazillion times, that the Yankees squandered their best chances to win the last many years when they didn't go all-in. They should have gone all-in when Judge and Cole were in their primes, not as they age out of them. The Yankees didn't go all-in and wasted Judge's MVP season, and then the next year wasted Cole's Cy Young season. The Yankees limited where they'd spend and the results were a lack of championships - or even for the last season and a half of good baseball. It was penny wise and pound foolish. If Cole is out for any meaningful period of time, the championship window that was slowly closing might just have been slammed shut.
(4) Sure, the Yankees can go sign Blake Snell and/or Jordan Montgomery right now. But, the problem is those players are weeks and weeks away from being ready to pitch meaningful games. They don't help the Yankees immediate need for a starter. (Remember, also, the Yankees will be fined 110% of the player's salary for any player they now sign. I just don't see them spending that kind of money on either of these pitchers.)
(5) When Corbin Burnes was out there, the Yankees didn't get him. A team can never have too much starting pitching. The Yankees have a history of not getting big deals done and letting impact players get away. Burnes was just the latest. If he was on staff, the Yankees would be better able to withstand an injury to Gerrit Cole.
(6) If Cole is out, the Yankees' fifth starter is a huge question mark. It will probably end up being a sub-replacement level pitcher.
(7) This is, quite possibly, the worst news that could have hit the Yankees this season.
The best case scenario?
(1) This is just precautionary and it turns out to be nothing. But...
(2) I can't imagine it's nothing. I am sure it's something. As such, even if Cole is "fine," I doubt Gerrit Cole is fine enough to be the guy to pitch every fifth day and be on top of his game. At best, we'll see Cole having shorter outings, be limited to a very strict pitch count, and will he miss start. PLayers don't get MRIs for no reason.
(3) The Yankees are in trouble. This isn't good.
