Yankees to keep three-headed bullpen monster intact
The New York Yankees have a great bullpen after acquiring Aroldis Chapman.
The New York Yankees pulled off a shocking move yesterday by acquiring closer Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds for a package of prospects. The move was shocking for a variety of reasons, mainly based on location, but also because general manager Brian Cashman was able to do so and still maintain all of his top-tier prospects and young Major League talent in the process.
However, what was also shocking was the declaration that the move did not mean that the team would be breaking apart its already impressive late inning duo of Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances. To the contrary, the plan is to feature all three overwhelming arms together as a juggernaut of strikeout producing hurlers aimed at making the last nine or so outs of a game as miserable as possible.
The trio could realistically be the most dominant package of relievers ever assembled on one team. Their combined 2015 campaigns yielded an extraordinary 1.69 ERA, a .163 batter’s average against and a whopping 347 strikeouts compiled over 212 total innings. Miller and Chapman totaled 69 saves in 74 opportunities, while Betances was good for 29 holds.
To further the application of their potential dominance, each pitcher topped 100 strikeouts on the year, putting the 2016 Yankees on pace to be the first team in history to feature three relievers that have topped the century mark in K’s the previous year together on the same roster the following season. Chapman (15.7), Miller (14.5) and Betances (14.0) also all finished in the top three of strikeouts per nine innings overall last season, another first for potential teammates.
The dominoes of the deal provides the Yankees with a legitimate way of easing the load on their starting pitching staff, much of which has had difficulties with injuries of some fashion over the past few years. Only CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda topped 160 innings last year, as the Yankees finished 12th overall in the American League in innings pitched by their starting pitching.
There was thought that the Yankees would look to deal Miller potentially in light of acquiring Chapman, but that is not in the plans as of now. Rather, Yankee brass sees their bullpen as a way of reinforcing a potentially sketchy starting staff without making a costly edition to it via free agency.
Acquiring Chapman allows manager Joe Girardi to be more creatively deploy Betances and Miller, who could be used as early as the sixth inning most like if the right situation calls for it. This strengthens the entirety of the Yankees staff, from starters to the long and middle relievers.
However, the circumstances under which New York was able to acquire Chapman in the first place leave exactly when they will be able to unveil their new format somewhat in dispute. Although no formal charges were levied against him, Chapman potentially faces a suspension from Major League Baseball under its new domestic abuser program. Chapman was involved in an altercation at his home with his girlfriend in late October that allegedly involved him choking her and firing off multiple shots from a handgun.
It was this situation that paused the first deal involving Chapman going to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the offseason, which was ultimately cancelled. The Reds were unable to get anything else to materialize until the Yankees sent over a package of their non-premier prospects in exchange for Chapman on Monday. The group of player is considered to represent far less value than original deal with LA could have netted them.
New York is prepared to start the season without Chapman, who it is rumored could be suspended for up to 50 days, in a penalty close to what first time PED offender would face.
Yet it is a cost they were willing to pay and would still see him in pinstripes by mid-May, if the proceedings towards determining his punishment move along at an expedient pace.
Chapman is also due to reach free agency following next season, which could potentially make this a high priced rental for the Yankees, but with the presence of Miller and Betances still guaranteed beyond the year, they seem to be prepared to make their bullpen’s beastly trifecta be the center of their effort to reclaim the American League East crown.