Bronx Bombers' Postseason Puzzle: A Three-Headed Cerberus and a Catcher Conundrum
Published on: September 16, 2025
The crisp autumn air is settling in over the Bronx, carrying with it the familiar scent of impending October baseball. But as the New York Yankees limp towards the finish line of a season riddled with inconsistency and injury, the aroma of playoff anticipation is tinged with a distinct whiff of perplexity. Max Goodman of NJ.com has thrown a curveball of his own, predicting a postseason roster that’s raised more than a few eyebrows in the baseball world. His projection, filled with intriguing omissions and head-scratching inclusions, has ignited a firestorm of debate amongst the pinstriped faithful.
Goodman’s crystal ball foresees a starting rotation whittled down to a Cerberus-like trio: Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and the enigmatic Luis Gil. While the inclusion of Fried and Rodón, when healthy, is a no-brainer, Gil’s presence is a gamble, albeit one potentially born of necessity. Confirming Goodman’s whispers, Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake has hinted at the postseason presence of prospects Cam Schlittler and Will Warren. However, their roles appear destined for the long-relief bullpen rather than the starting spotlight, further solidifying the three-man rotation theory.
This unconventional strategy carries significant implications. Most notably, it leaves recent trade acquisition Camilo Doval and last year’s pickup, Mark Leiter Jr., out in the October cold. Jake Bird, whose pinstriped debut resembled a train wreck in slow motion, has already been banished to the purgatory of Triple-A, effectively ending his postseason aspirations. The bullpen, according to Goodman, will feature a mix of familiar faces and recent additions: David Bednar, Fernando Cruz, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, the crafty lefty Tim Hill, and the versatile Ryan Yarbrough.
Doval’s exclusion is perhaps the most jarring element of Goodman’s prediction. Brought in to bolster a shaky bullpen, the flame-throwing righty has struggled mightily in the Bronx, posting a bloated 5.87 ERA in 18 appearances. His once-feared strikeout stuff seems to have vanished in the transition to the East Coast, leaving him looking more like a flickering candle than a raging inferno. With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, Doval faces an uphill battle to prove his worth and earn a spot on the playoff roster. He needs to rediscover his lost velocity and command, or risk watching October baseball from the sidelines.
But the pitching puzzle is just one piece of the perplexing postseason picture Goodman paints. Behind the plate, he projects a potentially overcrowded scenario, with Austin Wells, Ben Rortvedt, and the seldom-seen J.C. Escarra all making the cut. While Wells is a lock and Ben Rortvedt brings defensive value and versatility, Escarra’s inclusion is baffling. The veteran backstop hasn’t seen significant big-league action since July and is hitting a paltry .202 on the season. His presence seems redundant, especially considering the potential cost.
Goodman’s three-catcher configuration could come at the expense of a much-needed arm in the bullpen, perhaps even Doval's. While catcher depth is undoubtedly important in the pressure cooker of the playoffs, one has to wonder if Escarra’s limited offensive contributions and recent inactivity outweigh the benefit of an additional reliever, especially one with Doval’s potential, however unrealized it may currently be. Goodman, with his finger on the pulse of the Yankees’ inner workings, clearly sees something in Escarra’s inclusion. What that "something" is remains a mystery, adding another layer of intrigue to the already convoluted roster debate.
As the regular season dwindles, the Yankees find themselves in a precarious position. While the AL East title has slipped from their grasp, courtesy of a surging Toronto Blue Jays squad, securing the top Wild Card spot remains paramount. The Boston Red Sox are nipping at their heels, just a game back, with the Houston Astros lurking close behind. A home series against either of those formidable opponents would provide a significant advantage, allowing the roar of the Yankee Stadium crowd to fuel their postseason push.
The Yankees' recent series win against Boston offers a glimmer of hope, but the Red Sox still hold the season series advantage, a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. The Astros, a familiar foe in recent October battles, present an equally daunting matchup. The Yankees’ 3-3 record against Houston this season underscores the tightrope they walk as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.
The decisions facing Yankees manager Aaron Boone are far from easy. He must weigh the potential upside of untested youth against the experience, albeit inconsistent, of veterans. He must decide whether to roll the dice on a three-man rotation or stick with a more traditional approach. And he must decipher the Escarra enigma, determining if the veteran catcher's presence truly warrants a spot on the playoff roster.
The coming days will be crucial. Every pitch, every at-bat, every managerial decision will be scrutinized under the intense glare of the playoff spotlight. The Yankees’ postseason fate hangs in the balance, and the baseball world waits with bated breath to see how this Bronx Bombers’ puzzle will finally piece itself together. One thing is certain: the journey to October promises to be anything but predictable.
Goodman’s crystal ball foresees a starting rotation whittled down to a Cerberus-like trio: Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and the enigmatic Luis Gil. While the inclusion of Fried and Rodón, when healthy, is a no-brainer, Gil’s presence is a gamble, albeit one potentially born of necessity. Confirming Goodman’s whispers, Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake has hinted at the postseason presence of prospects Cam Schlittler and Will Warren. However, their roles appear destined for the long-relief bullpen rather than the starting spotlight, further solidifying the three-man rotation theory.
This unconventional strategy carries significant implications. Most notably, it leaves recent trade acquisition Camilo Doval and last year’s pickup, Mark Leiter Jr., out in the October cold. Jake Bird, whose pinstriped debut resembled a train wreck in slow motion, has already been banished to the purgatory of Triple-A, effectively ending his postseason aspirations. The bullpen, according to Goodman, will feature a mix of familiar faces and recent additions: David Bednar, Fernando Cruz, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, the crafty lefty Tim Hill, and the versatile Ryan Yarbrough.
Doval’s exclusion is perhaps the most jarring element of Goodman’s prediction. Brought in to bolster a shaky bullpen, the flame-throwing righty has struggled mightily in the Bronx, posting a bloated 5.87 ERA in 18 appearances. His once-feared strikeout stuff seems to have vanished in the transition to the East Coast, leaving him looking more like a flickering candle than a raging inferno. With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, Doval faces an uphill battle to prove his worth and earn a spot on the playoff roster. He needs to rediscover his lost velocity and command, or risk watching October baseball from the sidelines.
But the pitching puzzle is just one piece of the perplexing postseason picture Goodman paints. Behind the plate, he projects a potentially overcrowded scenario, with Austin Wells, Ben Rortvedt, and the seldom-seen J.C. Escarra all making the cut. While Wells is a lock and Ben Rortvedt brings defensive value and versatility, Escarra’s inclusion is baffling. The veteran backstop hasn’t seen significant big-league action since July and is hitting a paltry .202 on the season. His presence seems redundant, especially considering the potential cost.
Goodman’s three-catcher configuration could come at the expense of a much-needed arm in the bullpen, perhaps even Doval's. While catcher depth is undoubtedly important in the pressure cooker of the playoffs, one has to wonder if Escarra’s limited offensive contributions and recent inactivity outweigh the benefit of an additional reliever, especially one with Doval’s potential, however unrealized it may currently be. Goodman, with his finger on the pulse of the Yankees’ inner workings, clearly sees something in Escarra’s inclusion. What that "something" is remains a mystery, adding another layer of intrigue to the already convoluted roster debate.
As the regular season dwindles, the Yankees find themselves in a precarious position. While the AL East title has slipped from their grasp, courtesy of a surging Toronto Blue Jays squad, securing the top Wild Card spot remains paramount. The Boston Red Sox are nipping at their heels, just a game back, with the Houston Astros lurking close behind. A home series against either of those formidable opponents would provide a significant advantage, allowing the roar of the Yankee Stadium crowd to fuel their postseason push.
The Yankees' recent series win against Boston offers a glimmer of hope, but the Red Sox still hold the season series advantage, a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. The Astros, a familiar foe in recent October battles, present an equally daunting matchup. The Yankees’ 3-3 record against Houston this season underscores the tightrope they walk as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.
The decisions facing Yankees manager Aaron Boone are far from easy. He must weigh the potential upside of untested youth against the experience, albeit inconsistent, of veterans. He must decide whether to roll the dice on a three-man rotation or stick with a more traditional approach. And he must decipher the Escarra enigma, determining if the veteran catcher's presence truly warrants a spot on the playoff roster.
The coming days will be crucial. Every pitch, every at-bat, every managerial decision will be scrutinized under the intense glare of the playoff spotlight. The Yankees’ postseason fate hangs in the balance, and the baseball world waits with bated breath to see how this Bronx Bombers’ puzzle will finally piece itself together. One thing is certain: the journey to October promises to be anything but predictable.
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