NYY News: Strodón to start season
03/13/2025 12:00 AM
Who gets the Opening Day start?; Yankees won't add pitcher; Yankees may add hitter; Bellinger looks back
New York Post | Mark W. Sanchez: With Gerrit Cole out for the year, the new 1A Max Fried will not be shuffled around in his spring tuneup to be the Yankees' Opening Day starter. It seems as though one of Carlos Rodón or Marcus Stroman will instead get the ball March 27th in the Bronx against the Brewers. I suppose Rodón gives you a slightly higher ceiling and slightly better chance of a great outing, but both are liable to give up four dingers, set themselves on fire and run screaming into the Hudson River.
MLB Trade Rumors | Darragh McDonald: We get a pair of "will they/won't they"s from MLBTR, with the first detailing that Brian Cashman affirmed his club will not add an impact starter before the beginning of the season. This was always the most likely outcome, with payroll north of $300 million and the only realistic target the recuperating Sandy Alcantara, but now we know for sure. If the team is to survive to the trade deadline, when deals may be had, it'll be because of internal options.
MLB Trade Rumors | Steve Adams: On the "will they" side, the Yankees did admit that they're still considering outside options for a right-handed bat. With no timetable for Giancarlo Stanton's return and DJ LeMahieu looking rather zombified these days, the Yankee lineup's grown very left-handed. A veteran like JD Martinez could provide some balance while not needing a defensive spot in the outfield.
FanGraphs | David Laurila: We close with something a little more lighthearted, with Cody Bellinger reviewing his 2016 FanGraphs scouting report. At the time Bellinger was 21 at Double-A, getting points for his raw power and defensive ability, but since then he's still never quite figured out how to shorten what can be a long, vulnerable swing.
