Carlos Rodón, a high-profile acquisition by the New York Yankees, has shouldered increased responsibility in 2025 due to Gerrit Cole’s injury. However, his performance on the mound continues to raise concerns, particularly in the context of his six-year, $162 million contract.
According to FanGraphs, the Yankees have paid Rodón $56 million to date, but his output has only yielded an estimated $13 million in value. This discrepancy underscores a troubling $43 million gap between salary and performance—placing Rodón under the microscope.
Carlos Rodón signed with the Yankees in December 2022 following impressive campaigns with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants, where he compiled an 11.2 WAR between 2021 and 2022. Hopes were high, but his inaugural season in the Bronx fell flat. Limited by injuries, he posted a 6.85 ERA in just 14 starts during the 2023 MLB season.
In 2024, he rebounded with a 3.96 ERA across 32 starts, showcasing a more refined pitch mix. A greater emphasis on his changeup paid dividends, especially against right-handed batters.
Despite those gains, Rodón’s 2025 season has been rough. Since debuting for the Yankees in July 2023, he has surrendered a league-leading 51 home runs. His latest outing versus the Giants included two costly long balls one of them a three-run homer after a walk that sealed another loss for New York.
With Gerrit Cole out, Carlos Rodón has been expected to anchor the rotation. Instead, his inconsistencies and susceptibility to the long ball have cast doubt on whether he can fulfill the expectations that come with a top-tier salary.
As the Yankees push toward a postseason berth, unlocking Rodón’s full potential may be key. For now, the pressure is mounting and so are the questions about the return on their investment.
