Fansided

MLB news: Mookie Betts admits Red Sox cheated, Contreras talks Cubs, Yankees under pressure

By Mark Powell

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after scoring a run on a sacrifice fly ball hit by Will Smith #16 during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres in game four of the National League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 15, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after scoring a run on a sacrifice fly ball hit by Will Smith #16 during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres in game four of the National League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 15, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Yankees, Gerrit Cole
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /

Yankees: Gerrit Cole isn’t in Pittsburgh anymore

The New York Yankees have big expectations this season, and for a good reason. The Yanks brought back Aaron Judge and added Carlos Rodon to their starting rotation alongside Gerrit Cole.

Cole is the ace for a reason, but the Yankees rotational depth is better than it’s been in a long time, even with the Frankie Montas injury. PECOTA loves them, which is rather meaningless come the end of the season, but it should give fans hope heading into spring training that this might be their year. The question remains, though, whether they can get over the Houston Astros hump. FanSided’s Adam Weinrib took a shot at that question a few weeks ago. Have the Yankees done enough?

"“If closing the gap with Houston immediately was the only goal, then the Yankees took a proactive step forward with Rodón, but didn’t do enough. I would still power rank the Astros ahead of the Yankees entering this season, which, I guess, is the whole point of everything. That said, Rodón wasn’t just a minor upgrade to an area of strength, and the available left field options did not move me. With Judge signed long-term, this team also no longer has the innate pressure of ‘winning it all before he leaves. Dear God, he’s going to leave, we’re ruined.’ He’s here. They’re well-positioned for 2024 and ’25, with plenty of talent in the minor-league pipeline behind the current core.”"

Cole commented on the perceived ‘hope’ of Yankees fans heading into this season, suggesting that it’s the wrong word entirely. Hope is what he had during his time in Pittsburgh — a lower-market team that wasn’t used to winning. With the Yankees, it’s an expectation.

It’s easy to consider that a shot at the Pirates — and it is — but Cole is not wrong. With the Pirates, Cole was a young blossoming ace who couldn’t help his team get over the hump. In Houston, he played a role on a World Series team. Now, in New York, he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Can Cole and the Yankees deliver?

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