SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Last offseason, the Yankees made a splash by signing Carlos Rodon to a six-year, $162 million contract.
Nearly a year later, they’re still waiting to take full advantage of the pitcher benefits they thought they’d receive.
Rodon’s first season in the Bronx was disrupted by injuries – he suffered a forearm muscle strain in spring training before back issues helped delay his debut until July – and in the 14 starts he made, he recorded a 6.85 ERA.
The left-hander seemed to start gaining traction in September before ending his year on a brutal note when he allowed eight runs against the Royals without recording an out.
His velocity declined noticeably in the season finale, but general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday that the Yankees believed Rodon was healthy.
Carlos Rodon had a rough first season with the Yankees.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“I know he’s frustrated about the year,” Cashman said during the general managers’ meetings. “Obviously he came out of the gate like he did with his injury, at least our belief system on this issue – we’ve unpacked a lot of it – is that he ultimately never got in line like him and we would have hoped so.
“This winter leaves us healthy, we’re in a better position now, we understand what he’s going through in New York – which is not the cause of these problems – but I can’t wait for him comes back, as well as others, closer to what we have. expected that what we got.
Another left-handed member of the rotation, Nestor Cortes, would also be part of this group.
After an All-Star season in 2022, Cortes strained his hamstring while preparing for the World Baseball Classic on the eve of spring training.
He started the season on time, but later indicated that rushing back from the hamstring problem could have led to the rotator cuff strain that put him on the injured list in June (then again in August to end its season early).
Cortes spent the month of October continuing to develop his throwing program to ensure his shoulder was stable heading into the offseason.
“Everything is excellent,” Cashman said. “So we’re really happy with how he reacted and how he felt. So right now, he’s expected to be a healthy player, ready to go.
Nestor Cortes had a hamstring problem last season.Jason Szenes for the NY Post
While a Yankees reunion with free agent Jordan Montgomery this offseason seems unlikely — they traded him at the 2022 deadline in part because they didn’t consider him in their postseason rotation — the The left-hander’s agent, Scott Boras, said they are “taking all offers from all teams.”
Montgomery just helped the Rangers win the World Series, posting a 2.90 ERA in six postseason outings.
“The owners are crying out to us: ‘Let’s make a deal on Jordan,’” Boras said. “I think all the owners are very aware that he deserves a Monty Haul.”
2023-11-09 14:01:58
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