Keith is a believer in the Yankees rotation, despite some question marks when it comes to the health of some of their arms behind Gerrit Cole.
But it isn’t just the personnel in the rotation that have Keith hopeful for 2024. It is the coaching that has taken the staff to new heights since being implemented.
“I trust Matt Blake…Matt Blake is the change,” Keith said. “We are far from the Larry Rothschild days. I think they feel good about their bullpen. Whether it’s Clay Holmes when Yankee fans are clamoring for Josh Hader, or if it’s Clarke Schmidt and Yankee fans are screaming for Blake Snell, they feel good about their process. They feel good about Matt Blake.
“I think the Yankees are fine…this is a good rotation on paper right now. Obviously, we’re hoping they stay healthy.”
Keith also sees Cole as a de facto pitching coach given his wealth of knowledge, and a former Yankee pitching great is expected to be around much more frequently this year. So, pitching isn’t the issue for the Yanks. It has been offense in recent years, particularly the absence of it come playoff time.
“Add Andy Pettitte to the pitching lab for the Yankees with Matt Blake and Gerrit Cole. They’re gonna be fine,” Keith said. “Pitching hasn’t been the problem. It’s been the hitting, and now we have one of the best hitters of this generation in Juan Soto.”