I am impressed by Luis Gil every time I watch him do his work. He seemed unfazed by the long anticipated first series of the 2024 season against Boston. And he just did his job. His stuff was just beautiful, capturing his 9th win and a 2.03 ERA.
But when I look at the way Alex Verdugo performed against his former team on Friday night, I can't help but point out that the Yankees gave up three pitchers to close that deal with the former Boston outfielder. And what a deal that is turning out to be for the Yankees! Not to mention that the Yankees shipped four pitchers to San Diego for Juan Soto. And did I mention that Gerrit Cole hasn't pitched one ball for the Yankees yet this season as his team continues to soar above the AL East and the rest of baseball? The Yankees' pitching staff is deep. And we are now seeing just how far it goes.
"Cashman made headlines for blowing up at the GM meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., rather aggressively (and slightly profanely) defending himself and his staff following what he himself described as a “disaster” of a 2023 season. Then a month later, he authored perhaps the best week of a career that’s long and storied (well, it’s now been memorialized in a book, I hear). The rivals understandably don’t make many deals together. The trade of Verdugo for a middle reliever and two middle-rung (at best) minor leaguers was interesting but soon overshadowed by the move for the incomparable Soto," reported The New York Post.
Everyone thought Brian Cashman lost his mind making what seemed very risky moves. But now he appears brilliant and the Yankees continue to exude brilliance down their batting order and across their pitching staff.
I watched Cole hurl 10 strikeouts last night in Rochester as a member of the Rail Riders while Gil impressed us up in Boston. And there are many more arms in the minors with the game acumen and pitching greatness to almost make us forget about Michael King and Jhony Brito.
Ahead of spring training, Boone said this about the trades and battery of arms in the minors, “I do feel like considering what we lost in some trades this year, I think we’re in a much better depth position that maybe I even expected,” he said. “But you know that depth is going to be challenged. We’ll find out,” reported The Athletic. No one even expected Gil to be as good as he is. And there are guys like Will Warren and Cody Poteet who we saw in Kansas City who can step up as needed as the season progresses.
And it does not end there, we have seen how good Luke Weaver has been in middle relief and there is Clayton Beeter and Chase Hampton who is on the rise as The Athletic predicted in February. Not to mention that the Yankees are getting solid starts from their current rotation behind Gil; again all of this depth and success without Cole.
It going to be an exciting few weeks as the Yankees move into the midway part of a very long season. Pitching depth and success can carry any team further than expected. Let's hope this Yankee team keeps that momentum going and the pitching continues to support the incredible run production we have seen so far this season.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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