Yankees Shake Up Bullpen

The New York Yankees continued their youth movement and dealt 30-year old Shawn Kelley to the San Diego Padres for Johnny Barbato. At just 22-years old Barbato is a strong armed pitching prospect that meets the qualifications of the Yankee credentials of this off-season. In this move, like the other moves, the Yanks got rid of age and money for youth and upside. However, this move creates a major shake up in the bullpen and opens a second spot for an inning eater.

In his two seasons with the Yankees Kelley has been a consistent option for Joe Girardi to phone in. He appeared in 57 and 59 games while throwing 55+ innings in both seasons. Even more appealing for a manager as a bullpen option was Kelley’s strong 12 k/9 in 2013 and 11.7 k/9 in 2014. He will be tough to replace but he was due to be a free agent in 2016 and would be seeking a large contract. Brian Cashman did what every successful GM does and flipped a player in the final year of his contract for potential.

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Now that the door is open for a reliever we have to wonder what will the Yankees do with it? We can finally see some of the young arms that we heard so much about in the farms. Is it time for the Jacob Lindgren Show? He has showed that he has all of the right stuff to be effective but the Yankees might not want to rush him along. He has not pitched in Triple-A yet and he isn’t even on the 40-man roster.

The other possibility is Bryan Mitchell whose name has been circulating since the dealing of David Phelps. He is even more likely to be given a shot now that Kelley is gone.

I believe that they won’t go with a high upside arm to start the season. It is possible for a kid to put on a show in camp and spring training and thus receiving a spot. However, it is more likely that the Yankees will go with a safer option to start like Chase Whitley.

He pitched fairly well in his limited time last season and gave the organization a good look at what he is capable of. While Whitley’s ceiling isn’t exactly high and he probably over performed last season in his 75.2 innings pitched, he would be a temporary fill in while the younger arms continue to be groomed.