Yankees get jarring reality check on World Series odds at All-Star break

The New York Yankees have already gone through a season of several encouraging highs and head-scratching lows. Aaron Boone’s team is currently two games out of first place in the American League East and currently holding onto one of the three Wild-Card spots. But that can all change quickly if the team hits another slump. 

The Yankees do have a talented roster that has shown the upside to repeat as pennant champions; however, Bleacher Report’s lead MLB writer Zachary D. Rymer is not convinced by this team at the All-Star break. In a recent article, Rymer broke down the main reason why he does not buy New York as World Series contenders. 

“Yankees could do a lot worse than Max Fried and Carlos Rodón at the top of a playoff rotation,” Rymer assessed. “Their bullpen isn't lacking for swing-and-miss stuff, as it ranks fourth in MLB in strikeouts per nine. Yet unless Luis Gil dials his clock back to 2024 when he comes off the IL, the loss of Clarke Schmidt renders the Yankees without a No. 3 starter. 

And while they are in the market for upgrades on the infield and on the mound, they could be hamstrung by a weak farm system and an already bloated luxury-tax payroll. It otherwise feels appropriate to grade on a curve here. As much as the Yankees are clearly a World Series contender, the notion they are this much of one is suspect.”

Luis Gil’s return is critical to this roster as the 27-year-old is coming off being named Rookie of the Year in 2024. As of now, it looks like the front office is relying on the right-hander to fill in that No. 3 starter void when he returns, which, as Rymer states, is a risk. 

However, based on his rehab progress so far, there are encouraging signs Gil could return to his previous level in 2025. If that happens and the Yankees can get a more reliable bat in the infield, this team should round into form and be a threat to anyone they face in October. 

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