Yankees media seemingly giving up on Luis Gil feels like insane development

One of the biggest blows to the New York Yankees was losing 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil to injury before the 2025 regular season even began. Gil was part of the pitching staff decimation in spring training that saw three-fifths of the club's projected Opening Day rotation land on the IL to begin the year.

Given his electric rookie season, expectations were high for Gil, who didn't return to action until Aug. 3. On the surface, the 27-year-old right-hander picked up right where he left off, posting a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts down the stretch, besting the 3.50 mark that earned him 2024's honors.

But now, heading into hot stove season, multiple Yankees insiders are envisioning a different role for Gil in 2026. The Athletic's Chris Kirschner (subscription required) believes that the best place for Gil is in the bullpen, while the New York Post's Greg Joyce concurs while going a step further and musing that Gil could end up on the trade block.

Why are multiple insiders predicting the Yankees should move Luis Gil to the bullpen?

On the surface, the idea of moving Gil to the bullpen seems ridiculous. With the news of Carlos Rodón's elbow cleanup delaying the start of his season, uncertainty regarding what to expect from Gerrit Cole, and the real likelihood that the Yankees won't see Clarke Schmidt at all in 2026, it seems the club should be adding to the rotation, not subtracting from it. Not only that, but he struggles with walks. Why would that translate better in the 'pen?

Gil laid an egg in the ALDS against Toronto, getting tagged for two dingers and a 6.75 ERA in just 2 2/3 innings in his lone postseason start, but is that really enough to banish him?

The easy answer is no, but there's more than meets the eye. While Gil's 2025 results look good, a lot of the stuff going on under the hood should raise concerns.

First, there's a severe dip in strikeouts. Gil's K rate dropped from 26.8% (77th percentile) in 2024 to 16.8% (11th percentile) in 2025. That's largely due to him generating a lot fewer whiffs, dropping from a 29% rate (76th percentile) to a 21.5% mark (20th percentile). In turn, Gil's spotty command got worse, with his BB/9 rising from 4.57 to 5.21.

At the same time, his average fastball velocity decreased from 96.6 miles per hour to 95.2. In Gil's penultimate start of the season, his heater came in at just 93.7 miles per hour on Sept. 23 against the Chicago White Sox, though he'd rebound to 95.6 miles per hour average fastball velocity on Sept. 28 against the Baltimore Orioles.

There are also some stark differences between his August and September performances. Gil averaged 8.90 K/9 in August, but that number fell to just 3.90 in September. That dip coincided with some reduced velocity in September, perhaps indicating that he tired due to the injury.

Of course, that might lend credence to the idea that he's better suited for the bullpen. Gil has been relatively injury-prone throughout his young career, and stamina might be an issue. That, combined with his control issues, could mean a bullpen role is a better long-term fit for him. The Yankees could use all the help they can get out there, too.

However, a starter is a more valuable commodity, and Gil already has a track record of success in that role. Unless the Yankees are planning on adding multiple rotation arms, it makes more sense to run him back in the rotation until he definitively proves that he can't hang as a starter, if he ever does. Until then, any bullpen chatter is way too premature. And trading him at his lowest value? Brian Cashman would never.