Through May 19, Yankees closer Clay Holmes had a 0.00 ERA. Despite the discomfort that many endlessly pessimistic fans felt, he was baseball’s best closer. That is beyond question. Several ghost runners scored in Arizona. That was it.
Now that the second half and trade deadline are approaching? Holmes is no longer part of the conversation he once commanded. He’s been a 50-50 bet since striking out Mookie Betts to preserve the Yankees’ only win in three tries against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 9. Since then, he’s collected two saves: July 10 against the Rays (four outs) and July 12 in Baltimore.
Holmes has previously been a successful closer, frequently bending but seldom breaking. His recent form has been weak, but it doesn’t mean he “can’t” do it. It’s worth noting that the Yankees’ 2017 playoff bullpen included Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, and Chad Green at the height of their powers, flanked by a fading but still competent Dellin Betances. This year’s cast includes a scuffling Holmes, a teetering Kahnle, and Luke Weaver in between. That group needs reinforcements. If one of those reinforcements is a closer, it will strengthen the entire unit.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees, along with the Angels’ Mason Miller, Tanner Scott, and Carlos Estévez, are open to such an upgrade.
Would Yankees replace closer Clay Holmes at MLB Trade Deadline?
Miller is a stunning longshot; given how the Yankees have built bullpen arms in recent years, and the unpredictable nature of fireballing, trading premium assets for the game’s biggest phenomenon is dumb. Scott will be the hottest commodity before the deadline; the Yankees should have grabbed him in February.
However, Estévez is interesting. The 31-year-old with a 0.774 WHIP is having a stronger season in Anaheim than he did the previous year, when he was chosen an All-Star. He lacks a lengthy track record of accomplishment, as well as the associated ego. He appears to be a more adaptable potential addition, prepared to answer the door whenever called upon. He’ll also be a free agent after the season concludes.
The Angels selling Estévez is about as simple a trade decision as it gets, especially in a seller’s market like now. It’s encouraging to hear from Heyman that the Yankees will at least consider joining the fray, indicating that having an All-Star closer on the roster and discovering Michael Tonkin does not imply the bullpen riddle has been solved.
