The postseason chase is on now that the MLB All-Star weekend festivities have ended. The second half of the season brings a high level of significance towards the pennant race. The New York Yankees may want to consider further closer options to enhance the back end of the bullpen.
The Yankees Can Combat The Closer Role Concerns At The Trade Deadline
The closer role is one of a kind, literally, ONE of a kind. One inning a game to be evaluated for a lifetime career. It’s a position that some fall into, but very few can tolerate. One may ask why the Yankees want to consider further closer options when right-hander Clay Holmes fills the role.
Why The Yankees Should Stick With Clay Holmes
Over the past two years, Holmes has proven that his pitch arsenal and command fit the role of a late-game stopper. Of 30 clubs, ESPN ranked Holmes seventh among the top closers in 2024.
This is predominantly due to his save record and save percentage. Holmes has saved 21 games in 40 games pitched, which all 40 games didn’t amount to save opportunities. His save percentage is 77.8%. He’s thrown 39 innings with a 2.77 ERA.
So, why stick with Holmes? Simply because he’s proven himself able to play his position as a closer. His three-pitch menu does not include a fastball and offers a trio of breaking options. Naturally, he’s able to force ground balls with a 66.1% ground-out rate.
Holmes has a 1.7% solid contact rate and a 5.9% barrel contact rate. His pitch options are naturally barrel-missers. His top velocity is 96.5 mph on the sinker. Not having a heater that can match or surpass that sometimes is a downside for closers. However, Holmes makes it work.
Why The Yankees Should Consider Future Closer Options
Why not Holmes? There isn’t a reason to fully replace the righty, however, platooning him can be a solid option. Like a lot of closers, Holmes isn’t always on his A-game. His reliability has been above satisfactory, but there have been those let-down incidents.
He’s blown six saves, which sits middle of the pack in that category. In addition, he’s gone 1-4 in win-loss records when in that scenario. Holmes is not a back-to-back, multiple days-of-the-week guy. This is a strong reason to reinforce the back end of the game and consider future closer options.
Possible Options To Assist The Yankees Closer Role
It is not necessary to replace Holmes, but a secondary option is beneficial. There are no real rules to how you want to secure your game. That could mean using two or three arms, one arm, and or a different arm every other night.
The Yankees should consider trading for a closer or set-up-type pitcher to fill either role. They can start with considering a former Yankee, right-hander Chad Green. The Yankees recently expressed interest in Green.
Green played in the Bronx for seven seasons. He signed with Toronto where he underwent surgery and missed more than half of a season. He’s back in full force this season, and he looks amazing.
Green has thrown 28 and 2 /3 innings with a 1.88 ERA, 24 strikeouts, nine walks, and seven saves. Pitch-ability-wise, his four-pitch pallet is effective in all ways, with a heater up to 97 mph and a curveball that breaks downward at 24-plus inches.
The former Yankee may be on the trade block along with various other Blue Jays. Green would be a good option, as he’s signed through 2025. The Yankees would have him for at least one more season. Green could fit a late-game set-up role and or platoon the closer role on days when Holmes is not available.
The White Sox And Athletics Could Be Of Aid To The Yankees Bullpen At The Deadline
The Chicago White Sox are down in the gutter and will also be sellers. Rumors still have it that right-handed closer Michael Kopech may be on the market. The righty is signed through 2024 and will be a free agent at the end of the year.
He’s thrown 42 2 /3 innings for the White Sox this year. His numbers regarding wins-losses and ERA are not the greatest; he’s 2-8, keeping in mind the team’s ability to score runs. Kopech has a 4.85 ERA and has sat 57 hitters, only walking 23. He’s recorded nine saves on the year.
Kopech will struggle with various innings. He’s also a good option to platoon on the back end of the game, giving him one inning in every other save situation. His stuff is effective enough to succeed in that position.
This POV of Mason Miller throwing 103 MPH 😳 pic.twitter.com/4jUiOU7sKu
— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2024
The Oakland Athletics may be on a long-term rebuild. They may not be able to keep their closer, Mason Miller. The righty has a 2.21 ERA with 15 saves, 70 strikeouts, and 14 walks. The 25-year-old holds a ton of value and has the potential to be a long-term successful closer. This would be the perfect option to assist Holmes.
Main Photo Credits: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
