
For years, the New York Yankees‘ bullpen was considered the strongest point of the team along with the offense. The relief corps were deep and powerful last year and in 2018, and opposing clubs struggled to get much going in the late innings against the Bombers.
In 2020, though, the situation is different. Lots of arms have spent time injured, one of the best men, Tommy Kahnle, is lost for the season. Adam Ottavino is struggling with control, Aroldis Chapman is blowing saves, and the group is just not consistent.
Many people, myself included, thought that with Aroldis Chapman’s return from an extended COVID-19 recovery, things would get better. However, so far, that hasn’t been the case. It doesn’t mean that the unit won’t necessarily return to its normal dominant ways, but so far, it has been more middle-of-the-pack than elite.
After finishing 2019 placed second in fWAR, the New York Yankees are in the 22nd place (!) in the 2020 season. They have accumulated 0.2 fWAR, a far cry from the 3.2 that the league-leading Toronto Blue Jays have to this point.
The Yankees have been more middle-of-the-pack than good
The Yankees are 14th in bullpen ERA with 4.29, and their 4.55 FIP is the 19th best mark among 30 teams. Those numbers won’t cut it and are miles off what we have grown accustomed to seeing.
Last night, Yankees’ relievers blew 4-0 and 7-4 leads. And when the game was tied, Pete Alonso connected on a walk-off homer that ended things.
“We’re going through a tough, tough moment,” Chapman said to MLB.com. “I understand it’s a short season and there’s not a lot of time, but as far as our team, I think we should be able to be fine.”
“The good thing is, physically, I feel really good,” the Yankees’ closer said. “Now it’s a matter of working on my fastball command. It’s no secret that my fastball is my No. 1 pitch. Little by little, every day that goes by, it keeps getting better and better.”
Let’s hope that Chapman, Zack Britton, Ottavino, Chad Green, Jonathan Holder and other top names can refine their games and make the unit what it once was.