Yankees: 3 players Brian Cashman would like to cut, but can’t

1. Aroldis Chapman, RP

Yankees fans sure were spoiled when they had Mariano Rivera trotting out to the mound to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” The first-ever unanimous Baseball Hall of Famer was clutch throughout his entire career, especially in pivotal postseason situations (minus the walk-off hit to Luis Gonzalez in the 2001 World Series).

A couple of years after Rivera’s retirement, Aroldis Chapman was brought in to be their new clutch closer. The thing is, Chapman has been anything but clutch. Prime examples include Game 6 of the 2019 ALCS against the Houston Astros and Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. Chapman puts Yankees fans on an emotional rollercoaster ride every time he steps on the mound.

This year, Chapman had been disastrous. In the month of June alone, the closer carried an 11.42 ERA through 11 appearances! In 58 games this season, Chapman recorded a 3.44 ERA, 1.338 WHIP and 28 saves in 57 games.

Chapman is under contract for one more year, where he is slated to make $18 million for the 2022 campaign. It is a hefty price tag for Chapman, who has shown to be widely inconsistent when the team needs him the most — the postseason. It is time for the Yankees to look elsewhere for their closer, whether that is in-house, in free agency or on the trade market.

But, they will have to do so with Chapman on the books next year.