MLB free agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Kenley Jansen

Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches against the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning during game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 6, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) reacts during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees

After dealing away two of the best relievers in baseball, Andrew Miller and Chapman, the Yankees have a huge need for a bullpen addition this offseason. Dellin Betances remains part of the “No Runs DMC” trio, but he showed signs of wearing down after being made the full-time closer down the stretch last season. Betances has thrown an extremely high amount of innings in his young career, and needs support.

Betances is best used in a multi-inning relief role, much like Miller was by the Cleveland Indians in the playoffs. He has shown the durability and dominance to face more than three batters throughout his career, and is more valuable to the Yankees in that role. Tying him down to the ninth inning alone gives Joe Girardi very little flexibility.

The Yankees will have a shot at returning to the postseason in 2017, but they will need another elite reliever to do so. There is a rebuilding plan in place in the Bronx, but missing the playoffs for a third time in four years might be too much to swallow. With very little available for the Yankees to address their needs in the starting rotation, the bullpen is the only other logical area for Brian Cashman and the front office to focus on.

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