The Yankees’ Hesitation on Pitching: A Costly Gamble?
The New York Yankees are facing serious rotation concerns following Gerrit Cole’s indefinite injury, yet the front office appears hesitant to reinforce the pitching staff. General Manager Brian Cashman’s latest comments have done little to reassure fans, as he cited the luxury tax as a major factor in their reluctance to add another arm. This has sparked debate: are the Yankees—one of baseball’s wealthiest franchises—really backing off due to financial penalties, or is there a deeper issue at play?
The Luxury Tax Dilemma
The Yankees need pitching, but don’t like what’s out there on the market, says @Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/pMuJGlLxTU
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 13, 2025
The Yankees have already exceeded MLB’s highest Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) threshold, meaning every additional dollar spent on salary would incur a 110% tax penalty. While this is a significant financial burden, many analysts question whether the Yankees should be avoiding a necessary pitching investment over monetary concerns.
Ken Rosenthal, speaking on MLB Network, suggested the hesitation isn’t just about money—it’s about a lack of appealing options in the free-agent market. He noted that signing Lance Lynn for $5 million would essentially cost the Yankees $11 million after tax, but pointed out that the franchise is receiving insurance money for Cole’s injury—meaning finances shouldn’t be an excuse.
Limited Options in the Market
Even if money weren’t an issue, the Yankees may not be impressed with the current free-agent pitching market. The remaining options include aging veterans such as:
Lance Lynn
Kyle Gibson
Spencer Turnbull
None of these names are viewed as impact starters, leading Cashman to suggest that internal options like Will Warren may provide similar upside at a fraction of the cost. However, this approach carries considerable risk, as unproven pitchers may struggle against AL East competition.
Risky Dependence on Internal Pitching
The Yankees appear to be banking on:
Carlos Rodón returning to ace form
Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt stepping up
Young arms like Will Warren filling gaps
While this strategy worked for the Dodgers last season with Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan, LA had more pitching depth than the Yankees currently possess. If Warren struggles, who steps up next?
The Trade Market: A Tougher Path
Making a last-minute trade for a starting pitcher is difficult at this stage of the offseason. Most teams aren’t eager to part with quality arms unless they receive a major return. While the Yankees could revisit trade options before the deadline, that would mean months of uncertainty with a shaky rotation.
A Familiar Mistake?
This isn’t the first time the Yankees have hesitated to address rotation concerns before a season:
2019: The team failed to land a top-tier pitcher, relying on Luis Severino and James Paxton, both of whom suffered injuries, derailing their season.
2022: They avoided midseason upgrades, trusting their existing depth, only to watch their pitching staff collapse in the playoffs.
This 2025 offseason feels eerily similar. The Yankees had opportunities to sign proven pitchers like:
Blake Snell
Jordan Montgomery
Yet, they chose not to, citing contract length concerns and financial constraints. Now, they must hope that their current rotation holds up, or risk another season derailed by pitching struggles.
Will the Yankees Regret This Decision?
If history is any indication, failing to bolster the rotation early often leads to desperation later. If the Yankees stumble out of the gate, expect:
Fan frustration
A potential midseason scramble for pitching
A higher price for trade acquisitions
By prioritizing luxury tax concerns and uncertainty in the free-agent market, the Yankees are making a gamble. If their pitching depth holds up, they may prove critics wrong. But if injuries and inconsistency strike, Cashman’s reluctance to invest could be a costly mistake in the highly competitive AL East.