Yankees 2021 Report Card: Closing the book on the relievers
No one can blame Aroldis Chapman this winter. The Yankees closer gave up the game-winning home run that ended the Bombers season the previous two years, but in 2021 they couldn’t even get to him after Gerrit Cole struggled early in the Wild Card game and the offense was silent.
On the whole, the Yankees bullpen was perhaps the most reliable part of the team this season. They were fifth in the majors (second in the American League) in ERA (3.64), batting average against (.225) and strikeouts (675). They were fourth in WHIP (1.21) overall.
But heading into 2021 there are some questions, beginning with Chapman. Here are the grades for the 2021 bullpen:
LHP Aroldis Chapman: C+
Had an All-Star first half, but struggled the rest of the year. Lost command of his fastball around the same time the league cracked down on the illegal sticky stuff. Actually lost his closer’s role temporarily during the season, but rallied late to regain his spot. Finished with the second-highest ERA (3.36) of his career after giving up the most earned runs (21) and home runs (9) in his 12 years in the big leagues.
The 33-year-old is entering the final year of his contract with the Yankees.
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga A
After years of teasing with really good stuff, Loaisiga seemed to figure it out this year. Was arguably the Yankees’ best reliever this year, only derailed by a shoulder injury in September. He picked up his first major league saves and is an option if Chapman struggles again in 2022.
RHP Clay Holmes: A
Could have been the best MLB deadline trade the Yankees made. They acquired a guy with a 4.93 ERA, 1.429 WHIP who pitched to a 1.61 ERA and 0.786 WHIP for them. Holmes is under team control through 2024.
RHP Chad Green: B+
Made a career-high 67 appearances and threw a career-high 83.2 innings. After the 2020 abbreviated season, maybe that started to show. Green gave up a career-high 14 home runs, but still finished with a solid 3.17 ERA
RHP Michael King: B
Struggled as a starter early in the season, but came up huge as a reliever down the stretch. He had a 2.36 ERA in 16 appearances (38.2 innings) as a reliever. A bizarre weight-lifting, finger injury kept him on the IL for most of July and August.
LHP Lucas Luetge: B
After a five-year hiatus from the big leagues, Luetge was a smart signing for the Yankees. He pitched to a 2.74 ERA over a career-high 72.1 innings pitched. Couldn’t ask for more from a minor league free agent signing.
LHP Wandy Peralta: B-
Appeared in 46 games with a 2.95 ERA. He earned Aaron Boone’s trust early and the workload may have shown in the end. But clearly the Bombers won the deal that sent Mike Tauchman to the Giants. Peralta isn’t a free agent until 2024.
LHP Joely Rodriguez: C+
Pitched to a 2.84 ERA in 21 appearances for the Yankees, effective against left-handed hitters, but struggled against righties. Part of the deal to get Joey Gallo from the Rangers, he is under team control through 2025.
RHP Albert Abreu: C-
Showed a live arm and solid stuff, but struggled in his first big league season. He pitched to a 5.15 ERA with 19 walks and 35 strikeouts over 36 innings pitched out of the bullpen this season.
RHP Domingo German: C
For a short period, including spring training, German looked like the Yankees’ obvious No. 2 two starter behind Cole. He was hurt by the long ball, giving up 17 homers in 98 innings pitched. German finished with a 4.58 ERA. The Yankees don’t seem to know what they want to do with German between putting him in the rotation or bullpen.
LHP Zack Britton: INC
Began spring training trying to recover from COVID-19 and never got up to speed. Had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow in spring and then finally had to undergo elbow reconstruction, which is essentially Tommy John surgery. While the Yankees are hopeful they can see him back in the bullpen before the end of the 2022 season, Britton’s contract is up at the end of next year and the 33-year-old may very well have pitched his last game for the Yankees.
