Yankees News: Free Agency Signings Of Carlos Rodon, Aaron Judge Are Closing Gap With Astros

After being eliminated by the Houston Astros in the ALCS for the third time in six seasons, the New York Yankees are looking to catch up to the 2022 World Series champions. By re-signing Aaron Judge and adding Carlos Rodon in free agency, the Yankees seem to be closing the gap.

The Astros are still the MLB favorites with +600 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook to win the 2023 World Series. The Yankees are a close second with +700 championship odds. Following the end of the Fall Classic, New York was tied for fourth in baseball at +900.

Since coming back from Tommy John surgery, Rodon has been one of the league's best pitchers. Rodon had a 2.67 ERA while pitching for the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants over the last two seasons. Rodon is the only pitcher to be a top-six vote-getter for the Cy Young award in both 2021 and 2022.

Judge would've been an irreplaceable loss for the Yankees. The reigning AL MVP considered going to the San Francisco Giants before agreeing to a nine-year, $360 million contract to stay in New York. Judge hit 62 home runs last season and averages 49 homers and 110 RBI over 162 games during his career.

Houston, on the other hand, lost its award-winning player in free agency. Coming off his third Cy Young campaign, Justin Verlander joined the New York Mets. Verlander had a 1.75 ERA in the regular season and won Game 5 of the World Series.

The Astros did add Jose Abreu in free agency. Abreu won the 2020 AL MVP award and hit 30 home runs with 117 RBI in 2021. The first baseman hit a career-low 15 homers in 2022, though he hit .304 and had a .378 on-base percentage.

The addition of Abreu might result in the loss of Yuli Gurriel for Houston. The veteran had a team-high .347 average in the playoffs.

The Yankees have yet to add a notable position player who wasn't on the roster in 2022. New York hit .162 with a .502 when it was swept by Houston in the ALCS.

The Astros have made six straight ALCS appearances and won two championships since 2017.