Fansided

5 relief pitchers who can fill out the Yankees bullpen

By Rucker Haringey

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the bottom of the eighth inning at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 23, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rockies beat the Diamondbacks 2-0. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the bottom of the eighth inning at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 23, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rockies beat the Diamondbacks 2-0. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 21: Pitcher Zach Britton #53 of the New York Yankees in action in an MLB baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 21, 2018 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 10-8. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 21: Pitcher Zach Britton #53 of the New York Yankees in action in an MLB baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 21, 2018 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 10-8. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

2. Zach Britton

There’s an unfair narrative floating around Yankees fans that claims Britton wasn’t good last season. The reality is that he was an effective force out of the bullpen after arriving from Baltimore. Britton wasn’t the dominant pitcher he was back in 2016, but he was still excellent.

Most fan bases are happy to accept relievers who post an ERA of 2.88 in 25 appearances. That’s exactly what Britton did after arriving in the Bronx. He may have struggled with his control at times, but his ability to force hitters to swing and miss didn’t waver at all in 2018.

The biggest unanswered question about Britton’s future is whether or not he’s determined to close games again next year. If that’s a priority for him, then obviously the Yankees won’t re-sign him. This is another guy the Red Sox could become a factor for in the event that Craig Kimbrel leaves via free agency.

If Britton is willing to serve in a setup role again, the Yankees need to make him a large offer. There just aren’t many southpaws with the kind of devastating stuff Britton can harness when he’s at his best. His experience closing games in the AL East also would give Cashman great protection against another season of injuries for Aroldis Chapman.

Britton is going to get a big deal from someone this winter, and it’s easy to see him donning pinstripes again in 2019.

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