.jpg)
12 hours ago
1
The New York Yankees have options.
Lots and lots of bullpen options.
The Yanks went toward the MLB trade deadline wanting to upgrade their relief corps. And goodness gracious, they did that and more.
The Yankees pulled off three separate deals before the deadline on Thursday.
From the Pittsburgh Pirates, they acquired David Bednar.
From the San Francisco Giants, they picked up Camilo Doval.
And from the Colorado Rockies, in came Jake Bird.
MORE: Mariners' Eugenio Suarez trade rectifies a $15 million mistake
Bednar and Doval both have double-digit saves this season.
They join a back end of the bullpen helmed by Devin Williams and Luke Weaver.
So, um, who is going to be the closer?
Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed to reporters Thursday night that Williams will stay in that role for the time being.
Williams opened the year as the closer, struggled and ceded the job to Weaver for a time, then got it back.
MORE: Yankees staged the most persistent comeback in MLB history
The Yankees likely will have the opportunity to mix-and-match at the end of games in a lot of different ways.
It does seem reasonable to keep the new guys out of the closer role at least on day one, so they can acclimate to the pinstripes and pressure of the Bronx.
Eventually, though, any of these right-handed bullpen stars could close out a game. And New York will need all of them, often. The Yanks didn't pick up a single starting pitcher before the deadline, despite that being a clear need. Lots and lots of relief innings will just have to do.
Thankfully, the Yankees made sure they're equipped for that. It's a good problem to have.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- Blue Jays' Shane Bieber trade takes big injury risk
- Steven Kwan shows kindness on the most stressful day of his MLB career
- Twins' Carlos Correa is shock end to $200 million era
- Angels' new trade pickup is not a fan of California
- Mariners trade away a pitcher named Jeter
- Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony makes MLB history not done since Elmer Valo in 1940
English (US)