A month ago, New York Yankees fans were riding high. The front office had made aggressive moves, landing Max Fried to anchor the rotation, Devin Williams to dominate the ninth inning, and Cody Bellinger to add much-needed left-handed power. After falling short in 2024, this looked like a team built to reclaim the AL East crown. The optimism was real—until it was not. The team found itself in jeopardy as the injuries started piling up.
Fast forward to spring training, and that excitement has turned into nervous glances at the trainer’s room. Cole’s elbow inflammation sent shockwaves through the fanbase, reminding everyone how fragile a championship window can be. Anthony Rizzo’s back issues and nagging injuries to key depth pieces haven’t helped. Suddenly, Yankees fans—who have seen injuries derail past seasons—are bracing for the worst. Is this just a speed bump, or are we watching another season unravel before it even begins?
Not everyone is ready to throw in the towel. Sports talk host Evan Roberts isn’t just keeping the faith—he’s doubling down.
On the WFAN Sports Radio, Roberts boldly claimed, “I think the Yankees are going to win the AL East… We are here to diffuse any idea that this is somehow going to be a lost season.”
“I think the Yankees are going to win the AL East…we are here to diffuse any idea that this is somehow going to be a lost season”
Evan says fans are too down on the Yanks, who he says will be better in multiple areas. Listen: https://t.co/Y8dwWzh26H pic.twitter.com/k7oE1T2buA
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 25, 2025
That’s a strong stance, considering how badly injuries have haunted this franchise. But, Roberts sees things differently. He believes this team is better in every way—stronger lineup, deeper rotation, and a bullpen that should be lights out. Sure, losing Cole hurts, but a rotation featuring Fried, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt can keep them afloat. Williams strengthens a bullpen that had issues closing games last year. And with Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger anchoring the lineup, the offense should have enough firepower to compete.
Yankees fans are understandably skittish. They’ve seen this movie before—fast start, injuries pile up, and suddenly, they’re watching another team celebrate in October. But Roberts argues that this year is different. This roster isn’t just built to win—it’s built to survive setbacks. They also aren’t banking on an aging rotation—they have an ace in Fried and a bullpen that can shorten games.
So, is the panic overblown, or are the injury concerns real? The Yankees’ season hasn’t even started, but the debate is already in full swing.
AL East won’t be easy to conquer for the New York Yankees
Securing a spot in the AL East is always a challenge that requires work and determination throughout the 162-game season – and 2025 will be no exception to this rule. The Baltimore Orioles have transformed from being a heartwarming tale to a force in baseball, with rising talents like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman poised for success ahead. And that’s just one such team.
Despite facing setbacks during the offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays still boast of stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, leading their lineup toward success. And let’s not forget the Rays, who always seem to turn a group of unknowns into a 90-win contender. The New York Yankees don’t just need to be good—they need to be great.
Then there’s the reality that injuries don’t care about preseason predictions. The Yankees, already battling setbacks, can’t afford to fall into an early hole. A slow start in this division means fighting an uphill battle against teams that won’t slow down. Every series against the Orioles, Jays, and Rays will feel like a playoff matchup, and slipping up in April or May could mean playing catch-up all year.
In the end, Evan Roberts might be confident, but the Yankees will have to prove they can survive the grind. And boy, come the season opening and a grind it is going to be.
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