It’s safe to say that Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes has taken over the closer role. Since being put at the spot in place of the injured Aroldis Chapman, he’s converted all six of his save opportunities. He’s also been one of the most dominant relievers in all of baseball this season. I believe the Yankees should role with Holmes not just for the rest of this season but long-term as well.
The Struggles of Aroldis Chapman and His Impending Free Agency
Despite not blowing a save this season, Aroldis Chapman has struggled. The big issue for the Yankees’ former All-Star closer is his command of the strike zone. His command issues have earned him a spot on the “quick hook list” of Aaron Boone. This season, he almost has just as many walks as strikeouts and has a career-worst ERA of 3.86. He’s also currently on the injured list with Achilles tendinitis.
After this season, Chapman is slated to become a free agent. He’ll also be turning 35 after this season and looks to be on the wrong end of his middle 30s. Most pitchers tend to struggle during their age 35 seasons. With how hard he tries to throw; I don’t believe Chapman can be the exception to that theory. The Yankees have other needs that are more pressing to fix on their roster. We’ve already seen young arms in JP Sears and Ron Marinaccio show promise and could fill Chapman’s spot in the bullpen. This should make it easier for the Yankees to let him leave.
A Minor Trade Ended Up Being the Most Important
Last season, just before the trade deadline, general manager Brian Cashman made what was considered only a minor trade. He acquired Clay Holmes from the Pittsburgh Pirates for prospects Hoy Park and Diego Castillo. Most people assumed Holmes was acquired just to bolster the backend of New York’s bullpen. Coming over from Pittsburgh, Holmes didn’t exactly jump out during his time on the Pirates. In 91 career appearances, he had a 5.57 earned run average.
The Rise of Clay Holmes
Nobody in their wildest dreams ever imagined Clay Holmes would as dominant as he’s been this season. He has a record of 4-0 with an earned run average of 0.36 and is perfect in six save opportunities. Some are even saying he’s the second-best reliever in baseball behind only the Brewers’ Josh Hader.
Currently, Clay Holmes has not allowed a run in over 23.0 innings. It is a career-best and the longest streak in the big leagues this season. The Yankees haven’t had a reliever with such a long scoreless streak since David Robertson (26.1 innings) in 2011. He also just became just the third Yankee relief pitcher to record over 21 scoreless innings in their first 44 games. The other two were Mariano Rivera (2004) and Brian Bruney (2007).
When Chapman eventually returns, there is no way the Yankees should be thinking about reinserting him at closer. Holmes is pitching like an All-Star and has given New York everything it needs from a closer. Why fix what isn’t broken? Chapman is also past his prime and with his command issues, I’d be feeling queasy about putting him on the mound in a one-run game. Holmes has clearly cemented himself as the closer now and for seasons to come.
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