New York Yankees May Be Interested in Reunion with Aroldis Chapman
By David Hill
The New York Yankees received quite the haul for Aroldis Chapman. This offseason, a reunion may be in the works.
After the success of teams like the Kansas City Royals, due in large part to a stellar bullpen, the New York Yankees copied the blueprint. They signed Andrew Miller as a free agent before the 2015 season, and prior to this year, traded for Aroldis Chapman. That three headed monster in the back of the bullpen was as fearsome as any in the Majors, and could presumably give the Yankees an edge over the competition.
Alas, those plans did not quite work out. While Chapman, Miller, and Dellin Betances formed quite the devastating trio, the rest of the Yankees failed to do their part. However, with the infusion of youth following the Yankees trade deadline sale, the team caught fire once again, climbing to the periphery of the Wild Card hunt before fading over the past week.
A part of this swoon has been due to the bullpen. Betances, who was considered a closer in waiting, has struggled since the first of August. Since that time, he has posted a 4.15 ERA and a 1.339 WHiP, hardly the lights out numbers that one is accustomed to. As such, the Yankees may consider a reunion with Chapman this offseason, moving Betances back to the setup role he performed so admirably in.
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It is a move that would make sense for the New York Yankees. Even if the bullpen would not be quite the same as it was at the beginning of the year, having Chapman back in the fold would give the Yankees that shutdown pitcher in the ninth, while letting Betances pitch in a more familiar role. Likewise, the Yankees could add another reliever through free agency or in a trade as well, giving them another run at that bullpen Cerberus.
Given their concerns on the pitching front, and the extreme lack of quality free agents available for the rotation, it makes sense for the Yankees to focus on the bullpen. Shortening the game as much as possible, while asking fro five or six innings from the rotation, may be the best strategy with the options that will be available.
Yes, there are other closers available. Both Kenley Jensen and Mark Melancon will be free agents, and either would fit the profile of a top tier closer. However, the Yankees know that Chapman can handle the pressure of the New York market, which is not something that should be overlooked. Would Melancon or Jensen handle that pressure as well?
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The New York Yankees will have a few holes to fill on the pitching staff. Bringing Aroldis Chapman back would be a step in the right direction.