Forget the palm trees and spring training sunshine. Yankee Stadium casts a long shadow over the offseason, and right now, it’s filled with equal parts optimism and the lingering sting of “what-ifs.” The trucks are loaded, the bats are itching, and the newly minted roster hums with potential. But one crucial question echoes through the concrete canyons: can this starting rotation deliver the New York Yankees a championship? Let’s rewind.

Remember that gut-punch of watching Corbin Burnes deal like a dream against Gerrit Cole last September? Yeah, New York Yankees fans felt that. Now, picture the Baltimore Orioles swaggering around with that ace in their pocket. Manager Aaron Boone, ever the diplomat, admits that Burnes is “amazing,” but his cautious optimism speaks volumes. This ain’t your grandpappy’s “wait ‘til next year”—it’s a calculated, “we’ll see what they’re made of” kind of vibe. And then there’s the Blake Snell saga.

That juicy $150 million offer feels like a fever dream, replaced by the more pragmatic (some might say cost-effective) Marcus Stroman deal. “He’s got some good stuff,” says catcher Jose Trevino in a Yankees Beat report, his excitement palpable. Young gun Austin Wells, training alongside Stroman in Florida, echoes the sentiment: “We have almost everybody down there… healthy and strong. I think it’s going to be a great year.” It looks like the team has been holding up so far without adding another arm as Spring Training keeps looming closer.

Can New York Yankees’ New Rotation Deliver Championship Glory?

Depth isn’t an issue. The likes of Clayton Beeter, Luis Gil,  Cody Poteet, and Will Warren are waiting in the wings. Boone, however, preaches caution: “With health… we’re going to be really good, but it’s early February.” The resolute eye is on the metaphorical prize of winning both their old glory and grace among this gauntlet of superteams. And how exactly do they plan on going with that?

The rotation currently features Gerrit Cole, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes Jr., and Clarke Schmidt—a mix of proven talent, exciting potential, and injury-riddled unknowns. Not exactly murderer’s row, but a lineup that could leave you scratching your head or pumping your fist, depending on your perspective.

Watch This Story: Ranking the Top 5 Best Lineups in Baseball

So, is cautious optimism the right approach for the New York Yankees, right now? Absolutely. Why?

The rotation boasts experience (Cole), upside (Stroman, Rodón), and bounce-back potential (Cortes, Schmidt). But the road to the World Series is paved with “ifs” and “maybes.” Can Rodón stay healthy? Will Cortes recapture his 2022 magic? Can the young guns step up when needed?

Read More: First Look at New York Yankees’ Opening Day Lineup? Aaron Judge and Juan Soto Set to Dominate

The New York Yankees starting rotation is slowly becoming one of the most intriguing stories to watch unfold. As Boone says, “We’ve got to go make it happen.”