{"id":76578,"date":"2024-06-13T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T12:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=76578"},"modified":"2024-06-13T01:12:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T05:12:04","slug":"how-yankees-built-dominant-bullpen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/06\/13\/how-yankees-built-dominant-bullpen\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Yankees Built the Deepest Bullpen in Baseball"},"content":{"rendered":"

Starting pitching success has been the talk of the Bronx this season for the New York Yankees, but their bullpen has arguably been just as dominant. As of June 11, the ERA for Yankee relievers sits at 3.06, which is third-best in all of MLB. Even beyond counting stats, the Bombers seem to have an endless supply of relievers that can neutralize any opponent. From fireballers like Clay Holmes<\/a> and Nick Burdi<\/a> to veterans such as Michael Tonkin<\/a> and Tommy Kahnle<\/a>, the Yanks bullpen is stacked with reliable pitchers worthy of a World Series-caliber team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But what’s most impressive about the Yankees pen is actually how it lacks star relievers. Rather than having a multitude of high-end relievers, New York’s bullpen mostly consists of middle-of-the-pack guys whose successes are a result of the Yankees’ knack for cultivating pitching talent. It is for this reason that the Yankees boast one of, if not the best bullpen in baseball.<\/p>\n

Behind the Dominant Yankees Bullpen This Season<\/h2>\n

Impressive Finds<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The most interesting part of the Yankees bullpen is that most of their current relievers are not<\/em> homegrown. The only exceptions to this are Ron Marinaccio<\/a> and Jonathan Loaisiga<\/a>, the latter of whom is out with a torn UCL. Most notably, Clay Holmes and Ian Hamilton<\/a> are diamonds in the rough that Brian Cashman and Co. have turned into solid back-end guys.<\/p>\n

The former emerged as one of baseball’s top closers after being traded to New York from the Pittsburgh Pirates. With 2024 being his third full season as a Yankee, Holmes’ career in the Bronx has been tumultuous at times, but otherwise dominant. In 184 innings since 2021, Holmes has a 2.30 ERA with 199 strikeouts. He also has an ERA+ of 329 this season, along with 19 saves in 22 opportunities.<\/p>\n

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50+ Saves and a 180 ERA+, Yankees history:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mariano Rivera
\n\u2022 Clay Holmes pic.twitter.com\/wleLQHd7A9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 . (@HalToHell) April 27, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n