Yankees: Aaron Boone needs to find roles for these three relievers

The Yankees stacked bullpen should force Aaron Boone to get a bit more organized.

With a full week of baseball in the books, the New York Yankees checked in at 7-1, good for the best mark in Major League Baseball. The blowout loss against the Washington Nationals seems like an eternity ago and we’ve been able to see the Bombers in full force — the offense, defense, starting rotation, bullpen, bench, etc.

The offense is rolling. The defense is good (sans whatever the team decides to do with Miguel Andujar and the gaffes in center field on Sunday night). The rotation has its problems, but they should get sorted out. The bench is deep. But let’s talk about the bullpen.

Yes, it’s a dominant unit for sure. However, manager Aaron Boone has confused some of us with his usage of some arms. That’s led many fans to question the roles of some of the guys in the ‘pen. We already know what Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino and Chad Green are asked to do each week.

But what about these guys? Time for Boonie to give them a more definitive role so there isn’t any confusion and they can continue to develop.

3. Nick Nelson

The Yankees got a burst of life from Nick Nelson on Saturday night.

Alright, we won’t rush Boonie on this one, but it’s important that this is figured out sooner than later. Nick Nelson made his MLB debut on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox and absolutely carved them up. He logged three scoreless innings and walked just two batters while striking out four to earn his first win in the bigs. On Wednesday, he was hung out to dry, and a few low-exit-velo hits and failed double play balls wound up demoting him to the Alternate Site.

Nelson showed off his filth in more ways than one this past weekend, though, and clearly has the ability to help this team moving forward. Though the Yankees acted quickly this week and removed Nelson from the equation, we don’t want him in no man’s land like a few of the other guys we’re about to touch upon.

The 24-year-old has gone through the Yankees farm system as a starter, maintaining a 3.65 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 76 games (74 starts). After his debut, it’s clear he may be better suited in a relief role given how overpowering his fastball is when coupled with a devastating breaking ball.

Whatever happens, he shouldn’t be bouncing around between long and short outings. He’s got the length to be a starter, so perhaps he’s the guy Boone brings in after one of our starters get shellacked early or has to leave the game early for whatever reason.

He belongs on the roster, plain and simple.