What a dreadful winter it has been for the New York Yankees. Their shiny toy they flashed all 2024 in Juan Soto is now in Queens. Luis Gil is going to miss three months with a lat injury, Giancarlo Stanton could need season ending surgery on both his elbows, and the biggest blow now comes to their rotation.

Gerrit Cole has been recommended to have Tommy John surgery, per @JimBowdenGM

They are waiting for a second opinion pic.twitter.com/DPk33hejVf

— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 10, 2025

Their ace and most prized possession in Gerrit Cole could now be on the shelf for the year. After being removed and having tests on his on his elbow, the next path is Tommy John surgery. The Yankees are getting a second opinion, but right now that is not looking good and could very well put the season in jeopardy.

Yankees Season Could End Before it Begins

Sounds dramatic right? The big bad Yankees season could very well be over before it even begins. There were questions surrounding their offense with the absence of Juan Soto. Asking Aaron Judge to do it all himself is quite unfair and it almost resembles the 2023 season where he put the team on his back and they still missed the postseason. Despite the Yankees rotation being the deepest in the division, losing their ace is a massive blow. Especially when they lost Gil, who won the rookie of the year.

Cole is a massive presence for the Yankees. He is their fearless leader and their ace. At the time of the contract, the Yankees made him the highest paid pitcher in league history, with a contract that was worth $324 million. Cole has been everything and more to this club, capturing the CY Young in 2023 as well.

Cole is a workhorse and an innings eater. This is a guy they can count on to take the ball every five days, as he has made 30+ starts for the last three seasons. Since 2021, Cole has the 16th best ERA among starting pitchers (3.15) and has the fourth most strikeouts (821).  For what it’s worth, he has the sixth most quality starts in that same span.

You know what you’re getting with Cole and there is no denying it. With Gil and Cole absent, they’ll lean heavily on newly signed pitcher Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt (also down with an injury). Oh, and Marcus Stroman YOU ARE IN FACT A STARTER NOW.

The Yankees season could be over before it begins and it would not shock anybody if Cashman and Co. make a major splash to shore up the rotation. Aaron Judge isn’t getting any younger, so it’s time to not waste any of his good years left.