Closer market starting to heat up as Yankees watch from a distance

Jared Bloom

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Closer market starting to heat up as Yankees watch from a distance image

The New York Yankees had a major problem with their bullpen this past season. They finished the regular season with a 4.37 bullpen ERA, which was the eighth-highest across MLB.

Devin Williams found it difficult to be consistent, like he was with the Milwaukee Brewers. He started the season as the closer but lost his role to Luke Weaver and then David Bednar after the trade deadline. 

With Weaver and Williams heading to free agency, this leaves just Bednar. However, the club is expected to acquire another closer, or at the very least, a high-leverage arm. 

Closer market starting to heat up as Yankees watch from a distance

The GM Meetings were underway this week, giving those in charge a chance to talk to other teams and gauge the market. 

Multiple teams are looking to acquire a closer, so that was a big conversation amongst the GMs. However, the Yankees were not front and center during that discussion, via The Athletic's Jim Bowden. 

"Teams like the Braves, Orioles, Cubs, Twins, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Tigers, Rangers and Reds were actively involved in discussions for closers, along with the Yankees from a distance."

It could be quite the scrap for all these teams this winter in trying to acquire the best arm for their situation. Luckily for them, there is no shortage of closers or high-leverage arms on the open market. 

Much of the attention will likely be drawn to Edwin Diaz, who will lead the group. He is coming off a season where he posted a 1.63 ERA across 66.1 innings of work, notching 28 saves. 

There is also Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen, Ryan Helsley, or Kyle Finnegan available. Or, if the Yankees believe it was just a fluke year, they could go after Devin Williams, but that might not be something the fans will be happy about.

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Staff Writer