is the yankees stable… stable?
By Gabe Zoda
The Yankees bullpen has been one of the most talked about parts of this team throughout the season. In the beginning of the year, it was unstoppable and Clay Holmes had an under 2 ERA through 30 appearances. Then all of that changed near the trade deadline and the bullpen started to falter. It’s only been in the last couple of weeks that the Yankees “stable” is back to its stability, but how stable is it?
STABLE
Let's start with the good, because that’s what we’re all here for. Luke Weaver has been a near god sent to this Yankees bullpen and many wanted him in this closer spot for a long time. Earlier in this season, he was fighting for a spot in the rotation. He lost it but didn’t take offense and has looked amazing out of the pen in middle relief as a multi inning guy.
While he made us all laugh with his personality, it wasn’t until he was put in to close on September 6th when he showed his true colors. Since then, he’s been “the guy” in high leverage situations with a 0.00 ERA to go along with 16Ks, 3 BBs and an opposing BA of .083 in his last 5 appearances (7.1 IP).
Other names that have looked solid have been Tommy Kahnle, who hasn’t given up a run in his last 6 appearances. His Changeup has looked in prime form recently and batters have a .348 OPS in that span. His Numbers since July 9th will shock you, so here they are:
Tim Hill has also been a GEM for the Yankees out of the Pen. Since becoming a Yankee on June 20th, he has boasted a 1.98 ERA in 32 games and 41 innings pitched. We recently put out a video explaining some of his differences but he’s ticked up his Sinker usage and has dropped his arm angle to create even more ground balls.
Jake Cousins looked like he was going to take the closer role when he picked up his first save of his Career on August 13th. He’s been a valuable part of this pen and hasn’t given up a run in his last 6 games. His slider has been deadly but did get hurt yesterday afternoon so all eyes are on him to see if he will be good to go into the playoffs
Finally, Ian Hamilton has come back STRONG from his injury and could be another guy to close games if Weaver isn’t available that night. While it’s only been 4 games, since coming back he hasn’t given up a run and has struck out 8 batters his the 4.1 innings. The “Sl-ambio” is looking back to it’s prime and gives Yankee fans confidence going into the postseason. These next couple of guys though? Not so much.
Yankees reliever Clay Holmes.
UNSTABLE
If you’ve watched the Yankees this season, I’m pretty sure you know the names that will be put in here. Mark Leiter Jr. and Clay Holmes have strong cases to say that they shouldn’t make the playoff roster.
Mark Leiter Jr came to the Yankees in a trade from the Cubs at the trade deadline. He came in with a 4.21 ERA but many thought that he was rounding the corner on his season since he hadn’t given up a run in his last 7 games before joining the Yankees.
In the beginning of his Yankees career, those people were proven right as he would carry a 1.50 ERA in his first 6 appearances. He was showing some attitude and the fans were behind him. But like Holmes, Leiter’s season would turn around fast after those 6 games.
In Leiter Jr’s last 11 games. He has given up 11 runs (9.00 ERA), opposing batters are hitting .340 against him and it looks as if all of that juice is now gone and his chances in the playoffs should be limited if any. It looks like the Yankees agree as Mark Leiter Jr hasn’t pitched since September 13th, when he gave up a 2 run bomb to Trevor Story in the top of the 7th Inning.
It’s shocking to look back at this but to begin the year, Clay Holmes was the best closer in all of baseball. Holmes carried a 0.00 ERA in his first 20 games of the season and a 1.23 ERA after his first 30 appearances. Ever since then, it’s all been downhill. On June 13th, Clay Holmes blew a lead against the Kansas City Royals and that moment seemed to unravel all of Holmes’ confidence because since that point, he has a 5.28 ERA in these last 33 games appearances.
On the season he has 13 blown saves (10 of them coming after June 13th), which ties a Yankees all time record. It’s clear he can’t close games and can’t be trusted in high leverage situations because as soon as one bad thing happens, Holmes unravels. Boone has shown a confidence in him that looks more and more unfounded as the season goes and on. All fans can hope that Boone doesn’t call on Holmes in a big spot in the playoffs.
OVERALL…GOOD?
When you look at the totality of the Yankees bullpen down the stretch, it’s clear to see that they have a solid group to bring into the playoffs.
Since September 6th, the Yankees have the best bullpen in the Majors with a 1.27 ERA and have been a huge reason why this team has distanced themselves from the Orioles in the division. The Yankees still have to make a decision on whether Stroman will be a member of the bullpen but that won’t affect too much.
So is the Yankees “Stable”, stable? Outside of two guys, one of which being an Aaron Boone favorite, Yes.
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