The Yankees are looking at some tough roster decisions with their crowded rotation, and Luis Gil might be the odd man out despite his 2024 Rookie of the Year award.
That shoulder injury really changed things for Gil. When he came back last season, he just wasn’t the same pitcher who dominated in 2024.
Fansided’s Chris Landers thinks it’s time for the Yankees to move on from Gil while they still can get something back for him.
“Not too long ago, Gil seemed like the future of the Yankees rotation. But a shoulder injury sent his 2025 season sideways before it even began, and even when he returned he looked like a shell of his former self. Sure, a 3.32 ERA across 11 starts looks shiny on the surface, but don’t be fooled: Gil’s fastball velocity was significantly reduced from what it was in 2024, and his strikeout and whiff rates plummeted with it.”
The numbers tell the story. Gil’s 4.63 FIP last season shows what was really happening beneath that 3.32 ERA. His velocity dropped, his strikeouts fell off, and hitters were making better contact.
Here’s what Gil produced in 2025:
- 4-1 record in 11 starts
- 3.32 ERA with a much worse 4.63 FIP
- 41 strikeouts over 57 innings
- 1.404 WHIP
What makes this situation tricky is the Yankees’ depth chart. They’ve got Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt all starting the year on the IL, so you’d think they need every arm they can get.
But Landers sees it differently. Even with those injuries, he thinks the Yankees have better options than running Gil back out there hoping he rediscovers his 2024 form.
The team’s got Max Fried at the top, plus Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, Ryan Yarbrough, and Paul Blackburn as internal options. That’s before you factor in their farm system arms.
From a trade perspective, Gil’s still an attractive piece. He’s under team control through 2030 and making just $2.2 million this season. For a team willing to bet on his shoulder being healthy, that’s excellent value.
The Yankees know they’re in a window right now, and they can’t afford to give rotation spots to guys who might not be at full strength. Gil’s 2024 was special – he posted a 3.50 ERA with 171 strikeouts over 151.2 innings – but that version of him didn’t show up after the injury.
All things considered, moving Gil now makes sense. His stock won’t get any higher if he continues struggling, and the Yankees need to maximize their championship window while they have it.
