“Do not have them making the playoffs,” MLB insider drops BOLD take regarding Yankees following recent injuries to star players

The New York Yankees received a major blow a few weeks ago when ace pitcher Gerrit Cole got injured during Spring Training. With him missing the entire 2025 season due to the Tommy John surgery and other star players being injured, an MLB insider dropped a bold claim and stated that the Yankees could not make the playoffs this year.

The Bronx Bombers missed the playoffs in the 2023 season after finishing with an 82-80 record. They bounced back strongly from this as captain Aaron Judge and Juan Soto took charge of the offense in the 2024 campaign.

The duo combined to hit 99 home runs as the Yankees made their first World Series trip since 2009. However, they got outclassed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic. A few weeks later, they lost out on Soto to the New York Mets in free agency.

In the Spring Training, Luis Gil, the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year, got injured. He is expected to miss around three months of action due to a strain in his elbows. Meanwhile, power hitter Giancarlo Stanton is also on the injured list after experiencing huge pain in both of his elbows.

Given these injuries and the loss of Soto, MLB insider Jeff Passan does not think that the Yankees will make the postseason this year. While speaking on The Michael Kay Show along with Yankees announcer Michael Kay, the ESPN insider had the Yankees winning the AL East before Cole got hurt.

I had the Yankees before Gerrit Cole got hurt, winning the American League East. I do not have them making the playoffs right now. And I don’t feel very good about that, because generally speaking, when I doubt the Yankees they come back and prove me to be the fool that I often am.

Jeff Passan said

Jeff Passan has no faith in the Yankees in 2025. pic.twitter.com/lY10DQC153

— The Yankees SuperFan (@YanksSuperFan) March 26, 2025

Passan went on to explain that the absence of stars in the pitching rotation is the reason for his belief. He pointed out that the Yankees started off strong last year on the strength of their bullpen.

With Cole out for the season, newly signed star Max Fried is expected to become the “ace” pitcher of the team. Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman, along with Carlos Carrasco are expected to be part of the pitching rotation with Clarke Schmidt starting the season on the injured list as well.

Jeff Passan’s prediction for the NY Yankees has Stephen A. Smith losing it

With the number of injuries the New York Yankees have, MLB insider Jeff Passan does not see the New York Yankees achieving what they did last year. His bold prediction regarding them has sportscaster Stephen A. Smith losing it.

While appearing on ESPN’s First Take alongside Smith, Molly Qerim, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Passan affirmed that the Yankees would not performing just like last year.

After Russo and Passan got into a debate regarding the Yankees, Smith claimed that he wanted Passan to deliver him some good news regarding the team.

I’m praying that Jeff’s going to come on here and give me some good news. Give me a reason to feel optimistic about the New York Yankees and you’re not doing it. No, Cody Bellinger, huh? You know, Paul Goldsmith. They’re not going to make a big difference, huh?. You’re basically telling me that what I saw from my Yankees last year. Don’t expect to see that this year.

Stephen A. Smith said

Passan would then once again point out the injuries and justify his take on why he thought the Yankees might not perform well like last year.

They’re missing Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, who’s hurt. Luis Gil out for a couple of months. Like I get what the Yankees did pivoting away from Soto, but the injuries that they have sustained this early in the season it’s going to be really tough to come back from that.

Jeff Passan said on First Take

Last season, the Yankees finished with the best record in the American League (94-68). They ranked 10th in the MLB in batting average at .248. As for the pitching, they ranked 6th in the entire league in the ERA criteria with a 3.74 ERA while using 33 pitchers.

Carlos Rodon named as Yankees Opening Day starter against Milwaukee Brewers

Following the injury to Gerrit Cole, the New York Yankees were forced to change their Opening Day plan. Carlos Rodon has been named as the starting pitcher for the Opening Day against the Milwaukee Brewers.

This will mark Rodon’s second Opening Day start in his MLB career. He previously pitcher on the Opening Day while playing for the Chicago White Sox in 2019.

The 2024 season saw post his highest career wins in a season with 16. His 195 strikeouts were the 2nd most he has ever had in a season (237 strikeouts in 2022).

Carlos Rodón will start on Opening Day, per @Joelsherman1 pic.twitter.com/wKzCC00q0L

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 14, 2025

He will go up against Freddy Peralta, who went 11-9 in the 2024 season with a 3.68 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 32 starts. Following a three-game series with the Brewers, the Yankees will welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Bronx.