The New York Yankees are facing a rotation crisis, and Clarke Schmidt isn’t the solution. Carlos Carrasco offered a harsh reminder on Tuesday in Detroit, demonstrating once again that general manager Brian Cashman must act if the season is to be salvaged. Carrasco allowed four runs over 4.1 innings in a 5–0 loss to the Tigers, with three of those runs coming from home runs in the fourth inning.
He was hit hard throughout the game, with the Tigers consistently making solid contact, timing his fastball with ease. The 38-year-old’s ERA sits at 7.71, following two tough seasons where he was essentially used as an innings eater. Brought in during spring training as emergency depth, Carrasco has been just that. It’s clear the Yankees can’t compete with him in the rotation for long. The bigger issue is that Carrasco isn’t alone.
Will Warren, who’s expected to make another start on Saturday, has a 6.00 ERA. Carlos Rodón has a 5.19 ERA, and Marcus Stroman, who was a trade target last offseason, has a 7.27 ERA after two starts. Even Max Fried, with his 2.61 ERA, has only pitched 10 ⅓ innings over two starts. Schmidt may help when he returns next week, but at 29, he’s yet to prove he’s capable of being a top-of-the-rotation arm. Though he’s finishing his rehab from a back injury, he’s not fully built up and certainly isn’t a savior.
Luis Gil is months away from returning, and with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the year, the Yankees are not just waiting—they’re falling behind while doing so. Cashman needs to accelerate the process of making a trade. Sandy Alcantara would be ideal, but the Marlins are asking for a significant return, which means that deal likely won’t happen until closer to the trade deadline. Perhaps the Brewers, struggling with injuries, might realize this isn’t their year and move Freddy Peralta.
The Angels could finally trade Tyler Anderson, or the Yankees could dream that the Padres might move Dylan Cease or Michael King. The Yankees have managed to stay afloat mainly because of their hot bats, but this recent stretch of quiet offense has exposed the weakness in the rotation. It’s clear to Cashman that something needs to be done.
