The Yankees’ 2025 season hasn’t even begun, and already, their Cy Young hopes are on life support. With Gerrit Cole sidelined due to an elbow injury, the rotation suddenly looks shaky, and the question isn’t just who will step up—it’s whether anyone on this staff will even get a single Cy Young vote.
With their ace down and question marks across the board, the odds don’t look any better.
For years, the Yankees could at least count on Cole to be in the Cy Young conversation. Since 2018, he has received a vote every season, culminating in his dominant 2023 campaign when he finally took home the award. In 2024, the assumption was simple: If Cole pitches, he’s getting a vote. But injuries changed that equation, and shockingly, no Yankee pitcher earned even a single Cy Young vote.
Instead, some arguably questionable names made the ballot. Yusei Kikuchi, sporting a 4.05 ERA, managed to sneak in. Even Kate Smith picked up a vote. Yet, somehow, the Yankees’ entire staff—despite strong stretches from Carlos Rodón and others—was shut out.
And this year, it’s looking grim, and many analysts agree.
“This year, I’m taking the under,” one analyst from Talkin’ Yankees predicted when asked whether a Yankees pitcher will receive even one Cy Young vote in 2025. “There’s just too much uncertainty, and without Cole anchoring the staff, the odds aren’t great.” And really, it’s hard to argue.
Max Fried, their big offseason acquisition, has never been a finalist. He has the talent, but will he be healthy and dominant enough to break through?
Then there’s Carlos Rodón. The Yankees signed him because of his Cy Young-worthy 2021 and 2022 seasons, but last year, he was a mess. Sure, if you butter-knife away his worst three starts, his ERA drops, but that’s not how voting works. He needs to be great for the whole season—not just flashes of brilliance sandwiched between disasters.
Marcus Stroman? Reliable, but he hasn’t received a Cy Young vote since 2017. Nestor Cortes? A fan favorite, but he’s coming off an injury-plagued season.
So, will a Yankee get a Cy Young vote this year? Well, the rotation has talent, but consistency and health remain massive question marks.
The Yankees wild card factor: can someone surprise us?
Every season, someone unexpected sneaks into the Cy Young conversation. The Yankees’ rotation may look shaky, but that doesn’t mean a surprise name can’t rise to the occasion.
Could Clarke Schmidt take that leap? He’s been a serviceable mid-rotation arm, but what if he puts it all together—improves his efficiency, keeps the ball in the park, and suddenly becomes the Yankees’ most reliable starter? It wouldn’t be the first time a pitcher made a drastic leap. And then there’s Luis Gil, the hard-throwing right-hander who, if healthy, has the kind of electric stuff that could turn heads.
A full season of high-velocity dominance? That’s how dark horses turn into legitimate Cy Young vote-getters.
But let’s not forget the bullpen. Relievers rarely get Cy Young votes, but every once in a while, a truly dominant closer sneaks in. If Clay Holmes locks down the ninth inning with an ERA under 2.00 and racks up 40+ saves, does he get a stray vote? It’s possible. Voters have shown they’re willing to throw a bone to elite bullpen arms, especially if the Yankees’ rotation is in turmoil.
While none of these names are front-runners, baseball loves a breakout story. If someone catches fire, don’t be shocked if a Yankee finds his way onto a Cy Young ballot against all odds. What does your prediction say?
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