Yankees: Six reasons to bring Joe Girardi back in 2018

Master of the Bullpen

Long before the role of a team’s bullpen became what it is today, Girardi was among the first to rely heavily on his bullpen as his first option when a game was on the line.

In fact, until just recently when all of baseball jumped on the bandwagon, Girardi received criticism for not stretching his starters out and giving them a premature hook when they faltered ever so slightly.

I was among that crew, arguing that Girardi was babying his starters and how could they get better if he didn’t let them pitch out of tight situations.

Girardi was right, though. And his answer to his critics if he ever gave one would probably go something like this: “Look, all I’m trying to do here is win games any which way I can.” And that he has done. And that he continues to do.

Brian Cashman answered the call a week ago because he understands Girardi too. And with the Bullpen by Committee Girardi has at his disposal, not only the one-two punch of Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman, but also Adam Warren, Tommy Kahnle, Chad Green, and the Yankees former closer, David Robertson. He’s going to be a wonder to watch as he hits the right keys, creating a symphony of his own making as the Yankees make their push to the playoffs.

Of course, having some of the highest level arms in the world does North Korea no good if they don’t know how to deploy them. Thus, the challenge for Girardi.

He’s going to be a wonder to watch as he hits the right keys, creating a symphony of his own making as the Yankees make their push to the playoffs.