When the New York Yankees signed Carlos Rodon to a six-year, $162 million contract, they had no idea he’d become one of their biggest liabilities two years later. He had numerous injuries throughout the 2023 season, leading the Yankees to hope he would recover and provide a significantly more effective version this year.
The Yankees Need So Much More From Carlos Rodon
Rodon has a 4.63 ERA, 4.67 FIP, 9.17 strikeouts per nine, a 74.7% left-on-base rate, and a 34.1% ground ball rate in 103 innings this season. His walks aren’t too bad, but he gives up 1.66 home runs per nine, with a 13% HR/FB ratio.
A Rough Outing Against the Rays
Rodon allowed four runs in the first inning of Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, thanks to a Randy Arozarena double to left field and a three-run homer by Isaac Paredes. He threw 95 pitches in four innings, striking out five and walking two.
Mounting Frustration and Potential Trade Deadline Moves
The irritation has been building for months, and things are about to touch rock bottom owing to his ineptitude. Brian Cashman, the Yankees general manager, may have to be proactive at the trade deadline to obtain another seasoned arm. This would give them greater flexibility in how they employ Clarke Schmidt and Cody Poteet when they return from injury. They might aid in the bullpen, allowing a new addition to help offset some innings in the rotation and potentially relieve some of the strain on Rodon, who has only caused the Yankees to lose more games.
“It hasn’t been fun, for sure,” Rodón admitted. “I’m just not giving my team a chance to win by giving up runs early.” I just need to put a zero in the first and try to stretch anything together. I keep telling myself to go forward. “I have to.”
Statistical Woes and Adjustments Needed
Rodon has an unappealing 4.48 xERA and is in the worst percentile of baseball in terms of barrel %, hard-hit rate, and groundball percentage. In other words, batters are hitting the cover of the baseball against him, particularly his fastball.
“It seems like we’re behind the barrel every time,” says Rodón. “I left the offensive behind. It’s difficult for them to recover from. It’s difficult for them to win games when they’re behind by four, five, six, seven, or eight runs early on.”
Rodon’s four-seam fastball use has decreased by 10% this season, owing to a.267 batting average and an incredible.545 slugging rate allowed.
He has to use his slider more frequently and add his change-up as a crucial pitch, which he only throws 11.5% of the time.
Yankees Need More Confidence From Their $162 Million Man
Rodon can reclaim what he’s lost—competency—but first and foremost, he needs to regain his confidence, and the All-Star break should enable him a week to reflect and hopefully put the first half of the season behind him.
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