3 Yankees spring training battles that should be magnified more

Who Will the Closer Be?

The Yankees may not roll with a traditional closer in 2023, but they do like their structure. In the end, they at least like to have "their guy" for saves and/or big 7th or 8th inning spots when facing a tight situation against the opponent's heart of the order.

It's been Clay Holmes for the better part of the last year or so, but he fell off a cliff in the second half of 2022, while Michael King dominated up until his elbow fracture. Tommy Kahnle is also back, and he was used in a similar high-leverage role down the stretch with the Dodgers last year.

The reason this battle deserves your eyes is because Holmes' consistency is still a question mark, as are the health statuses of King and Kahnle. If Yankees fans were to bet, they'd pick King as the favorite, but it's hard to call that a certainty since he may not be let loose in the early going as he rehabs his way back to game speed.

Are you really doubting a scenario where King needs some time, Holmes still struggles with his mechanics, and Kahnle emerges as "the guy"? Or a world where Holmes' trademark sinker starts buzzsawing hitters right off the bat and he reclaims his throne? Or King's quickly able to return to form now that he's finally found a solidified role on the pitching staff? It's more wide open than you might think.