This offseason, the New York Yankees have a laundry list of holes of fill, spots to improve, and players to off-load. Amongst many “to-dos”, establishing a closer for 2026 may be a priority. What options do they have?
Yankees Could Be Back to Square One For Closer
Over the past few seasons, the Yankees have battled their way through saving close games. Closers have come and gone in the Bronx, leaving the same question season after season: Who will be the closer next year?
Last off-season, Brian Cashman and his team went out to find his 9th-inning man, which they did —or at least he thought they did. The Yankees signed right-handed pitcher Devin Williams to a one-year contract at an $8.6 million value.
He avoided arbitration with that deal and became the Yankees’ newest closer for 2025. How did that play out?
Yankees’ 2025 Closer Situation was a Roller Coaster
Once again, the Yankees campaigned for a new door-shutter in the late innings of short-leading games. Williams was the light at the end of the tunnel after some previous trial and error. The club employed right-hander Clay Holmes for years before things unraveled in 2024.
As Holmes worked through the 2024 season, his reliability diminished, raising concerns about September and October baseball. Holmes was later pulled from the closer role and redeployed in mid-relief.
The right-hander’s new bullpen status opened up a job for a closer. Reliever Luke Weaver was slotted in the role and swam in the rough waters of the postseason and World Series. He was the club’s best trial option, which worked out in their favor.
The Yankees realized that an established closer was required to be part of a package to return to the World Series in 2025. Williams was the answer but did not quite meet expectations.
The closer ultimately proved unreliable and did not meet his previous performance standards. He was ranked 21st in ESPN’s MLB closer rankings for 2025. Williams saved 18 games, blowing four.
Despite the mediocre numbers, the right-hander was not exactly trustworthy in high-priority situations. This led the Yankees to need another option.
David Bednar Became a Yankee
At the trade deadline, the role became a priority as the Yankees coasted at the top of the American League East. The club traded for right-hander David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for three prospects.
He was an established closer in Pittsburgh and brought that reliability to the Bronx. Bednar got his job done in the Bronx, pitching in 22 games, finishing 17 of those, and saving 10. He finished with a total of 17 saves and a 2.30 ERA.
Who’s Up Next?
The good news is, the Yankees still have Bednar under control for the 2026 season. He avoided arbitration with the Pirates, keeping him for one more year at $9 million. Given his success, do the Yankees stick with this plan?
Given the Yankees’ track record of timeline failures in the closer role, do they keep seeking their guy? If so, who’s on the market?
The Yankees could pursue an established free agent closer or pursue a high-functioning reliever to warp into a closer. Luke Weaver is a free agent and won’t be returning.
The Yankees could pivot to names such as Genesis Cabrera, Pete Fairbanks, Michael Kopech, or Seranthony Dominguez. They have the option of having two arms as a backup in the role, with Bednar being the main guy in the 9th.
Main Photo Credits: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
