#### 1. **Gerrit Cole – The Ace**
Gerrit Cole is without question the anchor of the Yankees’ rotation and has been the team’s clear ace since his arrival in 2020. Heading into 2025, Cole will be 34 years old, but there’s no reason to believe that his performance will drop off significantly anytime soon. His combination of fastball velocity and devastating slider remains among the best in baseball, making him an elite strikeout pitcher.
In 2024, Cole showed that he is still one of the premier pitchers in the game, with a Cy Young-caliber season that saw him rack up 230+ strikeouts while maintaining a sub-3.00 ERA. He can be counted on to start Opening Day, and with his experience and consistency, the Yankees will lean heavily on him in 2025 to help set the tone at the top of the rotation.
Despite his age, Cole is entering his prime in terms of experience, and he’s proven to be durable and effective. As the Yankees’ top starter, Cole will likely remain the face of the franchise’s pitching staff and will be counted on to anchor the rotation through the dog days of the season, especially given the questions surrounding the rest of the staff.
#### 2. **Max Fried – The New Addition**
Max Fried, acquired in a trade or through free agency (depending on the Yankees’ strategy), brings a wealth of experience to the Yankees’ rotation. The 2025 season marks Fried’s 29th year, and at this stage in his career, he has developed into one of the most consistent and reliable left-handed pitchers in the majors. Coming off a strong season with the Atlanta Braves, Fried brings a unique skill set to a Yankees staff that has been known for leaning on power arms. His ability to generate soft contact with an excellent curveball and control over his fastball gives him the ability to outsmart batters rather than simply overpower them.
Fried’s addition would give the Yankees another front-end starter capable of consistently working deep into games. His ability to pitch in the postseason—where he has shown poise and success—also adds valuable experience, something the Yankees would cherish in a rotation that still lacks postseason pedigree beyond Cole.
With Fried on the staff, the Yankees would have one of the most balanced rotations in baseball, with Cole and Fried anchoring the top spots. The lefty-righty combination could help neutralize opposing lineups and give manager Aaron Boone flexibility in handling matchups.
#### 3. **Carlos Rodón – The Wild Card**
Carlos Rodón has been one of the most enigmatic pitchers in baseball over the past few seasons. When healthy, his stuff is among the most dominant in the game, but staying on the field has proven to be his biggest challenge. After signing a massive deal with the Yankees in 2023, Rodón struggled with injuries, limiting his availability in his first season with the team. However, if Rodón can stay healthy in 2025, he adds a dynamic and potent arm to the rotation.
Rodón’s fastball-slider combination can dominate hitters, and when he’s on, he’s a legitimate number-two starter. The Yankees will hope that Rodón can find the form he showed in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox, when he finished sixth in Cy Young voting. If that happens, Rodón could be an elite complement to Cole at the top of the rotation. However, that’s still a big “if,” and the Yankees will need to monitor his health closely throughout the season.
In terms of potential, Rodón has top-of-the-rotation upside. But whether or not the Yankees get that consistency will be a key factor in their success in 2025.
#### 4. **Clarke Schmidt – The Rising Talent**
Clarke Schmidt has been a part of the Yankees’ rotation for a few years now, but 2025 could be the year he takes the next step in his development. Schmidt has shown flashes of brilliance but has often struggled to maintain consistency at the major league level. Still, he has the tools to succeed: a fastball that can touch the mid-90s and a solid curveball that can generate swings and misses.
Schmidt’s biggest challenge has been learning how to pitch at the highest level for a full season. However, if he can harness his potential, Schmidt could be a key contributor to a Yankees rotation that is looking for stability behind Cole and Fried. He’s still young and could grow into a reliable number four or five starter, providing depth and innings.
Given the Yankees’ need for pitching depth, Schmidt will likely be an important piece of the puzzle, even if he’s not yet a star. If Schmidt can pitch to his potential, he could provide the Yankees with a solid back-end starter who keeps them in games and gives them innings.
#### 5. **Luis Gil – The Potential X-Factor**
Luis Gil represents the wild card of the Yankees’ rotation in 2025. Gil has been a top prospect for years, with an electric fastball and a sharp slider. However, he has yet to fully break through at the major league level. He has shown glimpses of the potential that made him so highly regarded, but his lack of consistency has kept him from locking down a full-time role.
If Gil can finally put everything together in 2025, he could become one of the most exciting pitchers on the staff. His stuff is undeniable, and if he learns to harness his control and refine his secondary pitches, he could be a dominant force in the back of the Yankees’ rotation.
Gil’s development is one of the most important storylines for the Yankees heading into 2025. They need him to take a step forward and provide them with reliable innings, especially if Rodón or Schmidt struggle at any point in the season. If Gil can prove himself, the Yankees will have a true five-man rotation capable of going toe-to-toe with any team in the league.
### **Conclusion – The Yankees’ Rotation Outlook for 2025**
The Yankees’ starting rotation for 2025 is a mix of proven stars and emerging talent, and it has the potential to be one of the most formidable in the league. Gerrit Cole is a top-tier ace who will continue to set the tone at the top, while Max Fried brings experience and consistency as a strong number-two option. Carlos Rodón could be a wildcard, with the upside to be a dominant force if he stays healthy. Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, both young arms with potential, will be looking to lock down solid roles and contribute to the rotation’s depth.
Ultimately, the success of the Yankees’ rotation in 2025 hinges on Rodón’s health, Schmidt’s development, and Gil’s potential. If all these pieces fall into place, the Yankees will have a rotation capable of carrying them deep into October. However, if any of these pitchers falter or fail to live up to expectations, the Yankees’ pitching staff could struggle to meet the high standards set by their lineup.
At its best, this rotation is a blend of power, experience, and upside—a combination that could make the Yankees a legitimate World Series contender in 2025. But as always with pitching, health and consistency will be the deciding factors. The Yankees are in a strong position, but they will need all five of these pitchers to stay on track for their rotation to reach its full potential.
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