Gerrit Cole's recent struggles on the mound have been a talking point, and the ace himself attributes these issues to command troubles. Reflecting on his performance, Cole shared, "I just tried to free myself up to be honest. The command sometimes just isn't there, so I tried to be more aggressive and not care as much about where the pitch was going, or not really try to define the pitch too much by jamming into one area, and just, just attack."
While aggression on the mound can be a double-edged sword, Cole found some solace in how he wrapped up his outing, even if it was a bit too late to change the outcome. "I was encouraged by the way we finished. Unfortunately, it was too much to overcome today, which was disappointing," he admitted.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone backed Cole's approach, highlighting the importance of aggression. However, it's clear that the Yankees need more than just an aggressive mindset from their star pitcher.
The numbers paint a stark picture: over his first four starts in June, Cole has surrendered 13 runs. That's a stat line that would make any pitching coach sweat.
Despite these hiccups, the Yankees, sitting at a strong 48-34, are still in a solid position. Yet, they can't afford to overlook Cole's pitching woes.
If these issues persist, they could spell trouble for a team with World Series aspirations. The Yankees need Cole at his best, and addressing these command issues will be crucial as they push deeper into the season.
In Other News...
Former Giants Star Just Pulled Juan Soto Into A Bigger Mets Mess
Tiki Barber stirred up a familiar New York debate this week by taking aim at the Mets clubhouse culture and, in the process, dragging Juan Soto into it. The former Giants star and radio host framed the teams problems as a matter of chemistry and leadership, arguing that Soto represents a business-first mentality rather than the kind of presence that naturally binds a dugout together.
Barbers comments landed even harder because he pointed to Francisco Lindor as the sort of player who can steady a roster when things start going sideways, even as Lindor has missed significant time with injuries. In a season already defined by unease around the Mets, the criticism only sharpened the attention on how much of the clubs issues are about talent and how much are about the people charged with keeping it pointed in the same direction. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Fans Have Every Reason To Question This Cashman Rumor
With the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaching, the Yankees have already been linked to Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers in a report from Bob Nightengale, giving the rumor mill another familiar Bronx name to chew on. On the surface, it fits the usual deadline logic for a contender that can never have too much catching depth, but the bigger takeaway is less about the player and more about the uncertainty around what Brian Cashman is actually pursuing.
Jeffers has spent time on the shelf and is only now working back into baseball activity, which adds another layer to the chatter around him. Still, the Yankees are operating in that classic deadline zone where every report can be either a clue or a cover, and the list of possible directions behind the scenes could stretch well beyond one catcher, leaving plenty of room for fans to wonder what the real target might be. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Face One Deadline Question With Josh Hader In Play
The Yankees are again in the market for bullpen help as the trade deadline approaches, and one name that keeps surfacing is Astros closer Josh Hader. New Yorks need is obvious, and Haders track record gives him immediate appeal, but the conversation is not just about performance. His contract still carries two years and $38 million after this season, a number that could shape both the asking price and the kind of return Houston would demand.
For the Yankees, the question is whether that is the kind of swing worth taking or whether a cheaper reliever might make more sense if they want to preserve flexibility. Houstons posture adds another layer to the wait-and-see mood, since there is no guarantee Hader is even truly in play. If he is not, New York may have to decide whether to chase a bigger name or trust its own pitching people to turn a lesser arm into a useful late-inning option. [Read more 🡒]