Yankees' treatment of Luis Gil makes no sense as Ryan Weathers continues to implode

Remember all that starting rotation depth the New York Yankees had even without Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón to begin the season? Well, with news that the team will begin 2026 with a four-man rotation, we have no idea where it all went!

And perhaps even worse? We have no idea why they're reportedly considering treating Luis Gil vastly differently from Ryan Weathers despite the latter producing far more concerning results during spring training.

The Yankees are considering optioning Luis Gil to Triple-A when the team breaks camp. While this could just be a technicality to ensure Gil gets his reps in ... can't he simply do that as a member of the Opening Day roster by the time it's his turn to pitch?

This development isn't anything new. It was reported by The Athletic last week. But with spring training coming to a close on Sunday as the Yankees open a two-game exhibition series against the Chicago Cubs before Wednesday's Opening Night matchup against the San Francisco Giants, this all just got very real.

Now, are we going to sit here and deny Gil needs to work on his stuff? Not at all. He's had some real trouble with his fastball this spring, which has dulled his secondary offerings. Then again ... he also dominated the Red Sox on March 4 and then had his best outing of the spring against the Orioles on Friday.

Yankees seem afraid to admit mistake on Ryan Weathers trade with Marlins

On the other hand, Weathers has gotten torched in three of his four outings (with the exception of beating down on a horrid Washington Nationals lineup in his spring debut). He has an 11.68 ERA, 2.11 WHIP and .390 opponents' batting average across 12 1/3 innings. Gil has logged a 4.66 ERA, 1.29 ERA and a .263 opponents' batting average across 19 1/3 innings.

They both have minor league options remaining. It could be argued neither have earned a rotation spot. But Gil is the 2024 Rookie of the Year and was even solid in his 11 starts last year after missing two-thirds of the season with an injury.

This reeks of the Yankees being afraid to admit they might've been wrong on Weathers, after surrendering four prospects for him back in January while they expressed trepidation with making a more impact trade for a starting pitcher. The left-hander has impressive stuff, and it's been there all spring, but the results haven't been. And that's essentially the story of his career.

Weathers' last two years with the Marlins were solid, but he also only made 24 starts due to injuries. Before that? He was a disaster, logging a 6.00 ERA over his first 46 career games. He might be almost two years younger than Gil, but the right-hander has had a far better career even with similar command/injury issues.

Much like with Jasson Dominguez and Oswaldo Cabrera, Gil doesn't stand to benefit logging reps against inferior talent. He's either a major leaguer or he isn't. And the Yankees are sending the wrong message with a number of their younger players who have, for the most part, contributed positively to the big league club when they've been given the opportunity.

Weathers' next outing will come this week against the Cubs. He will follow Gerrit Cole, who will be making the start. If the left-hander doesn't show any improvement or promise in that one — outside of people out there saying his "stuff grades out well" — and Gil gets optioned longer than many are expecting, it's going to get a lot louder in the Bronx earlier than anybody expected.