Closer – Dellin Betances, $500,000
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
It would be a bold move on behalf of the New York Yankees to give the closer spot to Andrew Miller over Dellin Betances in 2015. The “Beast of Brooklyn” has pitches just as intimidating as his 6-foot-8, 260 pound frame.
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With David Robertson gone, it only makes sense for last year’s setup man to assume ninth inning duties. No reliever struck out more hitter’s than Betances did in 2014. His 135 mark outdid the second highest mark set by Wade Davis by 26 strikeouts. Amongst relievers, his WHIP of 0.78 was the third best in the league, his FIP the fourth best and his BAbip of .241 ranked 18th league-wide.
Betances has a bright future ahead of him. Even though his fastball — which he threw 645 times — averaged a nasty 96.7 mph in 2014 and was a real weapon, he threw his knuckle-curve the exact number of times to much greater success. Opponents hit his fastball at a .229 clip, compared to an extremely low BAA of .075 versus the knuckle-curve. His strikeout percentage with the fastball was 15.3 in contrast to 63.3 percent with the knuckle-curve.
Much like Yankees great and former closer Mariano Rivera, Betances also has a cut fastball in his repertoire. He threw it 69 times in 2014. If he can come at all close to being as effective with it as Rivera was throughout his career, Betances will be one of the games premier closers for years to come. He will only be 27 as of March 23.