When the winds of change blow through Major League Baseball, it often sends players on a whirlwind journey, and right-hander Jake Woodford is no stranger to this narrative. After signing a minor league deal with the Yankees, Woodford has chosen to opt out, venturing into free agency once more.
Let's backtrack a little. Drafted as a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2015, Woodford made his MLB debut during the unique circumstances of the 2020 season.
His introduction wasn't the smoothest; a 5.57 ERA from a multi-inning relief role left much to be desired. But as with any good comeback story, Woodford rebounded impressively in 2021 and 2022.
He showed his mettle with a commendable 3.26 ERA (translating to a 121 ERA+) over 116 innings. Despite keeping strikeouts low at 15.4%, he navigated the zone with a decent 7.5% walk rate and made hitters work by inducing groundballs at a solid 45.8% rate.
Yet, the strikeout-light approach eventually caught up with him, and by 2023, his ERA ballooned to 6.23, prompting the Cardinals to cut ties.
Woodford then embarked on a journey through various franchises. During the 2024 season, he donned jerseys for both the White Sox and the Pirates, ending with a challenging 7.97 ERA over 35 innings.
Despite those ups and downs in the majors, his work at the Triple-A level remained a beacon of stability, showcasing a respectable 3.93 ERA over 94 innings. After a brief stint with the Rockies that ended pre-season, he found himself with the Yankees, evidencing a 4.54 ERA over nearly 40 innings.
The Yankees, meanwhile, were juggling their own roster puzzle. After a taxing game against the Dodgers that saw seven pitchers take the mound, it seemed the stage was set for Woodford's return to the majors. However, he exercised his opt-out clause just as the Yankees opted for a different route, turning to veteran Carlos Carrasco to fill the immediate void.
Carrasco, at 38, is no stranger to the pressures of the big leagues. Although he's had better days in his long career—his era in Cleveland as a mid-rotation ace comes to mind—he's stepping up for the Yankees with a current season ERA of 5.91 over 32 innings.
Maybe not the flashiest stats to flaunt, but Carrasco brings something invaluable to the table: experience and resilience. Known far and wide as a formidable clubhouse presence, Carrasco’s veteran touch could be just the spark a depleted Yankees bullpen needs at this juncture.
As for Woodford, his story isn't over. His path might seem like a classic tale of ups and downs, but it highlights the ever-shifting world of professional baseball, where every pitch and every inning can be a chance for reinvention. While Carrasco takes his place on the Yankees' active roster, Woodford sets his sights on new opportunities, each pitch an opportunity for renewal.
