As the 2025 MLB season approaches, the New York Yankees are poised to embark on a journey of redemption, seeking to avenge their 2024 World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite the departure of star player Juan Soto, the Yankees are bolstering their pitching corps, most notably with the signing of Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract. This strategic move is expected to fortify the team’s starting rotation, positioning them for a deep playoff run.
The Yankees’ starting rotation, now bolstered by Fried, boasts a formidable five-man crew, comprising Fried, Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt. This impressive assembly of pitching talent is expected to propel the team toward success, but the impending Spring Training season promises to bring its own set of challenges and opportunities.
One player who will be vying for a spot in the rotation is Marcus Stroman, who struggled in 2024. Stroman, determined to prove himself, is resolute in his refusal to be relegated to the bullpen, instead opting to pitch his way into the starting rotation. This bold declaration has earned the approval of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who appreciates Stroman’s confidence and competitive spirit.
Cashman, acknowledging Stroman’s reputation as a formidable starter, expressed his enthusiasm for the pitcher’s determination to reclaim his spot in the rotation. “That’s vintage Stro. He’s a competitor. He’s fought his way through pro ball to being a hell of a starter for quite some time. And I agree with him, he is a starter. Let’s just see how everything plays out,” Cashman stated, via SNY’s Yankees Videos on X (formerly Twitter).
As the Yankees embark on their Spring Training journey, the competition for a spot in the rotation promises to be fierce. With six weeks of training ahead, the team will undoubtedly face numerous twists and turns, and the final roster will likely be shaped by a combination of performance, strategy, and circumstance. As Cashman astutely observed, “Six weeks of Spring Training, there are typically a lot of twists and turns and winding roads before you get to Opening Day.”
In the midst of this uncertainty, one thing is clear: the New York Yankees are committed to building a championship-caliber team, and their revamped pitching corps is a testament to this ambition. As the team navigates the challenges of Spring Training, the drama and excitement of the competition will undoubtedly captivate fans, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying 2025 MLB season.
