Yankees News: Yankees playoff hopes could depend on bullpen

By Caleb Gebrewold | Mar 4, 2015

Although missing the postseason the past two seasons, the New York Yankees have quietly had a very dominant bullpen both seasons, historic even. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, last season the Yankees bullpen averaged 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings, which not only led the league, but was the best in major league history. In 2013, the number was 9.0, which was the best in Yankees history for a short amount of time, and is 29th all-time.

Following the 2013 season, the Yankees replaced the greatest closer in MLB history, Mariano Rivera, with young stud Dellin Betances in the bullpen, and promoted David Robertson to closer. Rivera had a strong final season in 2013, and he did average 7.6 strikeouts per nine, a number that looks puny next to the 13.5 strikeouts per nine that Betances averaged last season. Betances was an absolute strikeout machine, and could very well be the closer of the future.

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Following the season, the Yankees once again replaced their closer, as they let Robertson and his 13.4 strikeouts per nine from a year ago walk away. Replacing him in the bullpen is Andrew Miller, who struck out an even more impressive 14.9 hitters per nine innings last season. While Robertson was a home-grown talent, and had been a counted on piece of the Yankees bullpen, Miller posted better numbers across the board.

In Betances and Miller, the Yankees have two of baseball’s best relievers from a season ago. The bullpen isn’t just a two-headed monster though, as newcomer David Carpenter is only a year removed from dominating the National League with an ERA of 1.78 and 10.1 strikeouts per nine. While his ERA jumped to 3.54 last year, it was largely due to a spike in his hits per nine innings (6.2 to 9.0), as his other numbers were equally impressive as his 2013 season.

Carpenter could see an improvement, as he will no longer be asked to pitch in the eight inning. Fellow newcomer Justin Wilson also saw a regression last year following a dominant 2013. His ERA dipped from 2.08 to 4.20, although his strikeouts per nine did jump from 7.2 to 9.2.

What is interesting about both Carpenter and Wilson is their ability to get batter from both sides of the plate out. Wilson, a left-handed pitcher, fared better against right-handed hitting, while Carpenter, a right-handed pitcher, fared better against left-handed hitting. In these two, along with Betances and Miller, the Yankees have four pitchers who can retire batters from both sides, while throwing strikes in the upper 90’s.

The Yankees also have Adam Warren, who, barring injury, will be in the bullpen. Warren can also retire hitters from both sides, and has quietly been a key, often overlooked part of the recent bullpen dominance. His numbers greatly improved in his second full season in the majors, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue to build on that.

Behind these five, the Yankees also have a third southpaw Chasen Shreve, who pitched very well in the minors a year ago, and even better when he was called up to the big leagues. He also fared better against right-handed batters. With six relievers able to retire batters from both sides, Joe Girardi will have a real weapon.

Two time All-Star Andrew Bailey, who was one of the better relievers in baseball a couple of years ago before battling injuries, is attempting to make the team after missing 2013. Unfortunately for the former Rookie of the Year winning closer, it is Esmil Rogers who will likely be the seventh guy, as he is out of options, and the Yankees could use another long reliever. That likely will only last until Ivan Nova returns, which will send Chris Capuano to the bullpen.

Waiting in the minors, the Yankees have two arms ready to show that they can handle the big leagues in Jose Ramirez and Jacob Lindgren. While Ramirez struggled in his debut last year, he has shown over several seasons that he can make a difference when his time comes. Lindgren, the Yankees second round draft pick a year ago, quickly ascended through the Yankees system in his first professional season, while putting up video game type numbers.

Although the Yankees lost Robertson, the closer from a year ago, they have off-set those losses with the addition of several arms. Combined with Joe Girardi’s managing of the bullpen (yes, most don’t agree with “the book”, but he has shown that no reliever is irreplaceable), and the relative youth, plus potential in the minors, this bullpen can be dominant for several years.

With a full season of Chase Headley and Stephen Drew combined with Didi Gregorius taking over for Derek Jeter at shortstop, the Yankees infield will be vastly improved defensively, which should also help save a few runs defensively. The bullpen could be what carries the Yankees to an October run in 2015.

With a rotation so filled with holes, Brian Cashman should be applauded for making the moves to strengthen the bullpen, even after losing a key member. He didn’t like any of the rotation options for the prices they received, so he chose a less conventional way to build his staff, and after a record-breaking season in 2014, somehow, this year’s bullpen looks better.

Next: Yankees Prospects Who Are Already Impressing In Camp

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