New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi doesn’t know who his closer is

After incumbent closer David Robertson was sent to the disabled list on Monday, there were varying opinions on who the closer should be for this year’s edition of the New York Yankees, but the one opinion that matters seems to be quite split on the issue. ESPN New York’s Danny Knobler (formerly of CBS Sports) asked Girardi who will be in the role for the near future, and Girardi’s response was telling.

"“That’s a great question”"

That doesn’t exactly scream of a man who has firm convictions on his upcoming choice, and with the Yankees on tap to play a game against Baltimore on Tuesday (already underway), that is a problem. The main options at his disposal are set-up man Matt Thornton and the guy who recorded Monday’s save, Shawn Kelley.

Personally, this should be an easy choice for New York, as Thornton is easily the best pitcher when you examine track record, having posted six straight seasons with an ERA of 3.75 or lower, including some impressive years with the White Sox. However, Thornton is left-handed and managers seem to detest using their best lefty reliever in a closing role, so Kelley is considered the front-runner.

Regardless, this isn’t going to be easy for Yankees fans, especially when you remember when they haven’t dealt with a closer controversy in nearly two decades.