Bullpen Help
Dellin Betances stretch to end his 2016 All-Star campaign was an absolute disaster.
In 11 games pitched in September and October, the 6’8″ right-hander surrendered 10 earned runs in 9.1 innings of work (9.64 ERA) while his opponents slash line (.279/.392/.372) was the highest line against him all year.
Additionally, his 13 surrendered runs in the month were the second-most among major league relievers behind Jeanmar Gomez of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Among starters and relievers, he ranked seventh which is downright terrible when you consider he pitched in 17.1 innings less than the starter ranked in front of him in runs.
It may have been his 73 innings pitched (ninth among AL relievers) catching up to him, but in order for the Yankees to make their bullpen a strong suit again, another reliever to throw into the mix in necessary.
Already locked with Tyler Clippard (2.49 ERA) for the 2017 season, New York could be one move away from creating another dynamic trio at the end of the bullpen.
Highlighting the free agent market are two former Yankees, Aroldis Chapman (1.55 ERA, 36 SV) and Mark Melancon (1.64 ERA, 47 SV), who can certainly give Girardi a reliable closer, shifting Betances into his natural habitat as a dominant setup man.
New York does have some wiggle room in terms of payroll. They are estimated to be at $128 million heading into free agency, so a solid contract to a top tier reliever could still keep them under the $200 million threshold they look to remain underneath of.
Bringing in a big name closer (again) will help eliminate late-game collapses of the second half and even if Betances’ struggles were just a result of fatigue, then it will benefit the middle relief — which was abysmal all season.
