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Concerns Mount as Yankees’ $162 Million Pitcher’s Struggles Continue

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Feb 28, 2025 12:08 PM ET

If spring training is a sign of things to come, Carlos Rodón and the New York Yankees are in for another frustrating summer.

Rodón has allowed six earned runs in 5.1 spring innings. The two-time All-Star is known for his impressive control, yet he’s already walked three this spring.

Spring training isn’t always an indicator of future success. That doesn’t mean Yankees fans can’t be concerned, especially considering Rodón’s inconsistency in the first two seasons of a lofty six-year, $162 million contract.

Rodón began his Yankees career with a 19-17 record and a 4.74 ERA. However, he drastically improved in 2024, lowering his ERA from 6.85 to 3.96 across 32 starts.

Yankees fans were understandably disappointed when Rodón posted a 5.60 ERA and allowed five home runs in four playoff starts. The Bronx Bombers signed Rodón to serve as a second ace alongside Gerrit Cole and bring home the Yankees’ first title since 2009.

Instead, Rodón didn’t make it out of the fourth inning in a Game 2 World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rodón regularly resembles the lefty who went 29-33 with a 4.14 ERA in his first six seasons. The Yankees paid for the pitcher who tallied a 10.3 bWAR and 2.67 ERA for the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants from 2021-22.

Which version of Rodón will the Yankees see this year? Rodón’s staunchest defenders will point to his 2.91 ERA in 12 second-half starts.

His critics—and he has many—will argue his numbers aren’t good enough for a pitcher earning nearly $28 million each of the next four years.

The Yankees need an elite Rodón to end their World Series drought, especially if they run into the Dodgers again. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if the Yankees find someone to take Rodón off their hands.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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