David Richard-Imagn Images

Yankees Warned 'Below Average' Area 'Must Change' Amid 2-Game Skid

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Michael Obermuller | Last updated May 5, 2025 3:13 PM ET

The New York Yankees are currently on a two-game losing streak heading into a new MLB week on Monday, May 5.

They've also lost five of their last 10 games, but have managed to maintain a 2.0-game lead over the rival Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

That's not to say everything is sunshine and rainbows in the Bronx. A new May 4 MLB power ranking places the Yankees sixth in all of baseball, but ESPN writer Bradford Doolittle has the Bombers seventh in his own personal stock report on May 5.

And within his Yankees blurb, Doolittle warned the storied franchise that one area of the roster "must change," or better yet improve, as the season progresses.

"For a first-place team, there is plenty to worry about when it comes to the Yankees," Doolittle began, noting in a header that the Pinstripes must find a way to bolster their rotational depth behind Max Fried.

"They've had the best position player (Aaron Judge, by far) and arguably the best pitcher (Max Fried) in baseball," the ESPN writer explained. "The relief staff has dealt with the struggles of demoted closer Devin Williams, but the bullpen still ranks sixth in relief ERA and with only 14% of inherited runners scoring."

The rotation, on the other hand, has been "below average" according to Doolittle. He cited a cumulative starting pitcher ERA of 4.07 and only eight quality starts despite Fried's Cy Young-caliber effort to prove his point.

"Even worse, with Gerrit Cole out for the season and Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman currently on the shelf, it's not immediately clear how this is going to get better," Doolittle worried on. "This issue might really start to mushroom if and when Fried regresses from his hot start."

This is certainly an area that Yankees general manager and senior vice president Brian Cashman must look into addressing via any and every avenue.

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

More must-reads: