Yankees: Tommy Kahnle has made Dellin Betances expendable

Not to take anything away from Dellin Betances’ past accomplishments with the Yankees, but the emergence of Tommy Kahnle has deemed him surplus to the club’s requirements.

For those that were still wondering if the Yankees made the right move trading prospect Blake Rutherford to the White Sox for Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, Monday night’s 7-3 victory is a resounding YES!

Robertson’s overall effectiveness and Frazier’s moxie and stellar defensive ability have never been in question. The two have already epitomized their clutch ability this Postseason, including Robertson’s season-saving performance against the Twins in the wild-card game and the Toddfather’s rallying double in Game 4 of the ALDS.

The only remaining question mark was right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle. Now don’t get me wrong, he’s had a great 2017. But this a guy who’s never appeared in the playoffs. One that’s already on his third professional team in just four seasons.

So trepidation is justified.

Entering the eighth inning with a four-run lead used to be a lights-out, no questions asked type of situation for Dellin Betances. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case for the New York native.

Betances followed up Luis Severino’s stellar start by not only walking leadoff pinch-hitter Yan Gomes, but immediately after issuing a free-pass to Francisco Lindor. With two men on and no outs, manager Joe Girardi yanked Betances in favor of Kahnle.

The 28-year-old Kahnle, who was actually drafted by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2010 draft (and eventually taken by the Rockies in 2013 Rule 5 draft), pitched as if he was double parked on Monday — striking out Jason Kipnis, getting Jose Ramirez to fly out to right and whiffing recent Yankee killer, Jay Bruce.

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Kahnle was even stronger in the ninth inning, striking out the side for a six out save.

So far this Postseason, Kahnle has done everything he’s been asked of — on his way to tossing five innings of scoreless ball, highlighted by zero walks and five strikeouts.

When asked for his keys to success, Kahnle revealed it’s all about staying calm.

"“To be honest I didn’t feel any pressure,’’ he said. “I take every outing as the same, go in just be aggressive, try to get outs. I’m coming in, I’m going to try to help out my teammate, get out of there without giving up his runs and save the team as well. Slow down, don’t get too amped up. I stay calm and make pitch-by-pitch. It seems to work. Same approach I’ve always had, tried to be aggressive and get the outs. Anything to prevent the other team from scoring."

As for Betances, who has battled mechanical issues all year-long, he probably won’t see the field in Game 5 — especially with a fully rested bullpen.

Following the win, Girardi explained his decision to pull Betances. Per Newsday: 

"“Dellin struggled throwing strikes and I just felt like I had to make the move to go to Kahnle,’’ Joe Girardi said. “And in a night where you’re trying to stay away from Chapman, I’m trying to do everything I can to stay away from Chapman, so I just felt like I had to make the move. His other [three] innings [in two appearances against the Indians] have been really pretty good. But tonight, he was a little off.’’"

Really good might be a bit of a stretch, but I understand Girardi trying to keep the faith in a reliever who has been extremely valuable since his breakout 2014 campaign.

For the time being, each member of the ‘pen is saying the right thing — that it doesn’t matter where in the game they pitch, just that they want to help this team win and advance to the ALCS.

While that’s all fine and dandy, a lot can change if the Yankees are unable to win on Wednesday night in Cleveland. Especially with another round of arbitration hearings scheduled for Betances this winter.

Next: Gary Denbo heads to the Marlins

I hope Betances can turn it around and fast. But a huge part of being a dominant reliever is having the mental fortitude to forget a bad outing… or two. Right now Betances can’t be counted on to hold a lead which makes him expendable.

And if the Yankees can continue to win without him, what’s stopping the organization from dealing him this offseason?