What Is Wrong With NY Yankee Ace Gerrit Cole Right Now?

New York Yankees ace pitcher Gerrit Cole is getting paid a whopping $36 million per year with his massive contract.  Ever since the MLB did away with the spider tack in June of 2021, Cole has not been the same pitcher.  He has given up way more home runs and his spin rate on all of his pitches has dropped significantly.  Now it is early in this young 2022 MLB season, but Cole has not looked great.  In each of his three starts he has given up multiple runs and hasn't had his normal terrific command.  In Tuesday's start at the Tigers, Cole went a career low inning and 2/3 before being pulled by manager Aaron Boone.  Here is my quick take on this from the Times Union:

The Yankees have been down this road before with Gerrit Cole. A few subpar starts, before he starts to perform like one of the best pitchers in baseball. It’s way too early for concern, but it will be a different conversation if he doesn’t get going sooner rather than later. The Yankees have many more concerns, than worrying about Cole. He will be just fine.

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MJ and I had a discussion on Cole's performance on Tuesday and whether or not it is too early to panic on Gerrit Cole this season after just three starts.  Below is our full conversation on this.

I really hope that Gerrit Cole can get back on track and go back to his old self soon.  He is an incredible talent and is just in a funk right now.  It is way too early to be concerned with Cole's bad three starts.  I expect big starts from him moving forward and throughout the entire Yankee season.