After acquiring closer Aroldis Chapman from the Reds, the Yankees might have the best bullpen in the bigs. Do they now have one the 5 best in MLB history?
By Greg Cambareri
Enter Brian Cashman.
The Yankee GM pulled the trigger on a trade to bring Chapman and his incendiary fastball to the Bronx in exchange for 4 minor leaguers, none of which were the highly regarded Gary Sanchez, Jorge Mateo, Greg Bird, or Aaron Judge.
The move instantly makes the Yankee ‘pen arguably the best in the league. The sheer dominance that’s going to come from Chapman, Andrew Miller, and Dellin Betances is almost unimaginable.
The Yankees certainly have a dynamite bullpen. But how does it compare with the 5 best bullpens of all time?
Let’s take a look at the 5 best ‘pens in MLB history, and see how the Yankees stack up.
5. 2003 Los Angeles Dodgers
The 2003 Dodgers featured 3 bullpen arms with ERA’s under 2.00
Yes, three. Guillermo Mota threw 105 innings in relief, and maintained a 1.97 ERA. Set up man Paul Quantrill posted a 1.75 ERA, and (controversial) closer Eric Gagne sported a 1.20 ERA and an even more impressive 0.86 FIP. Gagne was later named in the Mitchell report and connected to PED use, but his 2003 season was utterly dominant, making the ’03 Dodgers one of the best bullpens of all time.
All Dodgers relievers who pitched at least 50+ innings, maintained an ERA under 4.00. Remember, offense was also much more potent over a decade ago, making this group all the more impressive. Collectively, they posted a 2.46 ERA–PED’s aside, this group was lights out.
The ’03 Dodgers failed to make the playoffs, so this group doesn’t immediately come to mind, which makes them #5 on our list. They won 85 games, which obviously isn’t a bad season. However, it would have been interesting to see how they would have fared in October. Imagine if they played a role similar to the Kansas City Royals bullpen over the past two years, where the team only needs a lead through five or six innings?
Regardless, this shutdown bunch deserves a place on the all time best bullpens list.
4. 2014 Kansas City Royals
Speaking of those Kansas City Royals, their bullpen from 2014 comes in at #4.
The trio of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and Greg Holland escalated the importance of bullpens in the modern game. The flame throwing threesome made ballgames only 6 innings long, dominating with high 90s heaters and devastating breaking pitches.
While the Royals of 2015 were crowned champions, the 2014 team had the better ‘pen. Any one of the three showed the ability to pitch in high leverage situations, essentially giving them three closers. Although they didn’t win MLB’s ultimate prize in 2014, they came just one game away, largely in part to their ‘pen.
Their ability to dominate games in the late innings revolutionized the way the game is being played. Their impact from 2014 could be a major reason why Brian Cashman acquired Aroldis Chapman. Considering how expensive starting pitching is in today’s game, why not just create the most dominant bullpen you can, and try to get a lead after 6 innings? The way starters are being handled, most of today’s pitchers don’t often throw beyond 6 innings, anyways.
The 2014 Royals changed the way today’s game is played, earning the number 4 spot on our list.
3. 1990 Cincinnatti Reds
The “Nasty Boys” known as the 1990 Cincinnati Reds‘ bullpen consisted of swingman Norm Charlton, reliever Rob Dibble, and closer Randy Meyers. Notice how these trios keep appearing? It goes to show you the importance of having three closer-caliber arms in the bullpen.
Charlton was used as a starter and reliever before being moved to the ‘pen on a full time basis. He totaled 154 innings, tossing 2.74 ERA ball. Dibble, was dominant, posting an 8-3 record and a sparkling 1.74 ERA. Meyers, whose 31 saves led the team, finished with 2.08 ERA.
What made this bunch special was their postseason success. They allowed just one run in 24 total innings, en route to a World Series victory over the heavily favored Oakland Athletics.
While trios have become the core success stories of dominant bullpens, we shouldn’t forget other contributors, as bullpens are made of just more than three members. Tim Layana tossed 80 innings of sub 4.00 ERA baseball while Rick Mahler contributed also as swingman.
The “Nasty Boys” may not have had the overpowering stuff the ’03 Dodgers or 2014 Royals had, but their success speaks for itself, taking the #3 spot on our list.
2. 1998 New York Yankees
Does the Yankee bullpen of 2016 have the potential to surpass the greatness of the 1998 team? It certainly won’t be easy, because any team with Mariano Rivera on it is hard to top. Rivera alone could have got the ’98 Yankee bullpen to the #2 spot on our list, posting a 5.0 WAR, which is unheard of for relief pitchers of any role.
His postseason is really what’s mind-blowing. He threw 13.1 innings, gave up 6 hits, 0 runs, and struck out 11. Simply, untouchable.
Rivera’s dominance should not overshadow other contributors of the ’98 bullpen, though. Ramiro Mendoza won 10 games in relief, Jeff Nelson served as a valuable right handed reliever, while Mike Stanton and Graeme Lloyd were weapons from the left side.
Similar to the other teams on this list, the 1998 Yankees were flat out winners. They were one of the most complete teams of all time, and the bullpen certainly defined the word complete. Whether it was a lefty, righty, middle or late innings, they had someone who could give their team a situational advantage. Rivera was the best to ever hold the title of closer, and his dominance cements the’ 98 Yankees bullpen at number 2 on our list.
However, if the Yankees of 1998 were so dominant, whose bullpen could possibly upstage their great group?
1. 2002 Anaheim Angels
The 2002 Anaheim Angels were a truly great team. Their lineup was as deep and powerful as any that year, and their starting pitching held its own. The bullpen however, was a completely different animal.
Of the past three teams on this list, several factors have been associated with dominant ‘pens. Winning ball clubs, hard throwers, and at least three dominant late inning relievers. Well, the ’02 Angels had 5 different pitchers who possessed an ERA under 2.54, which helped spark their run to a World Series crown. Depth, talent, and late inning cheddar made the Angels bullpen a real weapon during their championship season.
Closer Troy Percival was the backbone of the ‘pen, notching 40 saves and a 1.92 ERA. Set up men Brendan Donnelly and Scot Shields both had ERA’s under 2.20, while middle innings men like Ben Weber and Lou Pote chipped in with solid seasons of their own.
The most remarkable thing about the ’02 Angels’ bullpen was a 20 year old kid named Francisco Rodriguez. K-Rod allowed just 4 earned runs and struck out 28, in 18.2 innings of postseason work, and became a sensation with his high 90s heater and on field emotions.
The 2002 Angels had depth, plenty of talent, and it helped propel them to a championship, capturing our #1 ranking.