Yankees Manager's Concern Over Closer Role
- Manager Aaron Boone is showing doubts about Clay Holmes' position as the Yankees' closer.
- Clay Holmes currently holds the closer role, but uncertainty looms over his long-term status.
- The grip on the Yankees' ninth-inning man role seems to be weakening.
In the wake of a disappointing 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Tigers, Yankees manager Aaron Boone hinted at potential changes in the team's ninth-inning closer strategy. Clay Holmes, who has struggled to secure saves, recorded three strikeouts during the game but allowed a crucial double and a tying single, leading to his 26th blown save out of 36 opportunities this season. His earned run average (ERA) has now risen to 2.88, raising concerns about his reliability in high-pressure situations. Boone acknowledged the depth of options available for the closer role, stating, "We got a lot of guys I feel like that are throwing the ball really well in certain situations." Since the trade deadline, the Yankees' bullpen has been average, ranking 16th in value with a 3.71 ERA, a stark contrast to their previous dominance. The team is now relying on potential rather than proven performance, which may necessitate a reevaluation of their late-game strategy. Despite Holmes' struggles, he boasts the highest groundball rate in baseball at 67.6 percent among pitchers with at least 50 innings. This statistic suggests that he should be inducing weak contact, yet batters are hitting an alarming .348 against his sinker, a significant increase from last season's .260 average. With batters hitting .350 on balls in play against him, the situation raises questions about whether Holmes' issues stem from bad luck or deeper mechanical problems. As the Yankees head into an off day, Boone faces critical decisions regarding the closer role, hoping for a turnaround from Holmes to stabilize the bullpen and improve the team's chances in the closing innings of games.