Yankees opt for Stephen Tarpley over Tyler Wade for ALDS roster

Tyler Wade’s tenure on the Yankees playoff roster only lasted one night. Stephen Tarpley has taken his place on Aaron Boone’s ALDS Roster.

It’s pretty easy to see that Aaron Boone is more concern with getting left-handed hitters out late in games than having a speedy pinch runner at his disposal. That’s the clear rationale for his decision to go with Stephen Tarpley over Tyler Wade on his ALDS Roster.

No one was surprised to see CC Sabathia added to the list in favor of Kyle Higashioka. The Yankees were never going to carry three catchers into the series against Boston. Sabathia is also likely to be New York’s starter if there is a Game 4.

In fairness, swapping Wade for Tarpley shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. Boone clearly put the young southpaw into high pressure situations down the stretch to see if he could hack it in October. Tarpley responded by retiring 14 of the 18 left-handed batters he faced down the stretch. It’s highly unlikely he’s going to see a lot of action against the Red Sox, but he may be called upon to get a left-handed batter out early in the game.

Remember, the Yankees already have Zach Britton and Aroldis Chapman on their roster. Chapman’s ability to be deployed as a left-handed specialist is negated by his status as the team’s closer. Britton is equally effective against hitters from both sides of the plate. That leaves Tarpley has the only true lefty specialist that Boone can feel good about using relatively early in the game.

Leaving Wade at home is a steep price to pay though. He was put on the Wild Card roster to give the Yankees a speedy base runner to utilize in late innings. Without him, the Yankees late inning offensive options are pretty limited. Boone has some useful pinch hitters at his disposal, but Brett Gardner will be the only bench player who can really change the game via the base paths.

It is a cost worth paying for Boone though. He’s clearly entering the Series with the intention of keeping his starting pitchers on a short leash. That’s why he’s bringing 13 relievers along with him. Tarpley will give New York an interesting option if they encounter a tough spot against a left-handed hitter like J.D. Martinez early in the game. Don’t be surprised to see Tarpley in at least one big spot before the Series is over.

The question is whether or not the rookie can handle the moment. It says something about his maturity that Boone trusts him enough to put him in this spot. Time will tell whether or not it turns out to be a move worth making for the Yankees.