The New York Yankees will once again revisit the need for a closer as next season approaches. The club maneuvered their way through save situations near the end of the season. The Yankees eventually found a reliable temporary closer option, Luke Weaver, in the postseason. Where do they go from here?
The closer may be the hardest spot to fill on a baseball roster, especially in the Major Leagues. Fortunately for past Yankees teams, they employed probably the best closer in the game at one point, right-handed legend Mariano Rivera.
Following Rivera, there were a few others, including Zach Britton, Dellin Betances, David Robertson, Andrew Miller, and current free agent Aroldis Chapman. Age caught up to most of them or their flame burnt out. By 2022, the Yankees trusted Clay Holmes in the role.
Potential Options for Yankees at Closer Next Season
Ex-Closer Clay Holmes No Longer an Option
The Yankees identified the righty Holmes as closer material early on in his Yankees tenure. The reliever joined the Yankees in 2021, and had a huge run of success in 2022.
Not only did he record a 7-4 record with a 2.54 ERA, but he also saved 20 games, only blowing five. His generic closer attributes and All-Star numbers earned him the late-game stopper spot, giving the Yankees plenty of confidence late in games.
In 2023, Holmes repeated his numerical success with another 24 saves (blowing three) and a 2.86 ERA. However, 2024 was the season that displayed the true colors of his capabilities. Holmes ranked 13th in MLB in saves. He also displayed various flaws that were alarming to the Yankees, considering their position in August 2024. Blown saves were becoming a problem, especially in games that mattered. Holmes saved 30 games in 2024 but also led the league in blown saves with 13.
The Yankees quickly mitigated the situation, keeping the closer role diverse and spontaneous. Holmes was moved to a short-relief bullpen role where he appeared for one to two innings a game or on a matchup basis. This was the best role for him. Now that he’s hit free agency, the Yankees likely do not have a role for him in 2025.
Can Luke Weaver Be a Reliable Option Going Forward?
The 31-year-old right-hander, Luke Weaver was tapped into one of the toughest pitching roles in baseball in the highest of high-pressure spots, the postseason.
Manager Aaron Boone recognized that utilizing his bullpen in a diverse way could provide different looks throughout the opponent’s lineup. This, he thought, was beneficial, and this flipped Weaver into the closer role by nature.
In 2024, Weaver totaled 84 innings pitched with a 2.89 ERA, a 7-3 record in 62 games, and 12 games finished. He struck out 103 batters and only walked 26. These numbers along with a decent repertoire made him a shiny selection on the shelf to test out.
Weaver got the baseball a lot in the 2024 postseason. In 15 1/3 innings, the right-hander went 1-0 with four saves in seven opportunities and a 1.76 ERA in 12 games. He struck out 16 and walked two, throwing 148 strikes on 214 pitches.
Does Weaver have what it takes to hold the role? His repertoire is outstanding and very workable. This season he worked a four-pitch mix with a fastball averaging 95 mph. He works an effective cutter at 91.3 mph with a 19.9-inch vertical drop. He also works an early-80s curveball with a 46.5-inch vertical drop.
Weaver has good weapons and his pitching ability is apparent. Still, his status as a “closer” needs to be a developmental closer, working towards the bigger picture. Weaver does need to get stronger, and add some velocity to his fastball; this will build him for the reliability in the last inning.
That being said, the Yankees are hoping for a better ending in 2025 namely a World Series parade. It may be time to go out and sign a closer.
Closers of Interest on the Market
Closers are a hard talent to find and buy, let alone develop. Clay Holmes is now on the free agent market, and will possibly be an addition for another ball club.
Who may interest the Yankees? Just days ago, the ex-closer of the Toronto Blue Jays, Jordan Romano, became a free agent as he was non-tendered.
This was a questionable decision by Toronto. However, the Yankees would not be opposed to the idea of the Canadian native in the Bronx. Romano would be a good thought when approaching closers in the market.
Right-Hander Jordan Romano
Jordan Romano is set to become a free agent, per @JeffPassan. pic.twitter.com/NNrxbfINcM
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 23, 2024
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The two-time All-Star has six seasons in MLB, all north of the border. His closer attributes were revealed in 2021 when he threw 63 innings, going 7-1 with 43 games finished, 23 saves, one blown save, and a 2.14 ERA.
In 2022 he recorded 36 saves with a 2.11 ERA and in 2023 he repeated 36 saves with a 2.90 ERA. He was selected as an All-Star in these two seasons. In 2024, Romano underwent surgery to repair an impingement in his right elbow, sidelining him for the majority of the season.
He’s expected to be healthy and return to full operation by the spring. Romano has had his rough times, like any closer. His big frame and upper 90s/low 100s velocity fit him perfectly into the closer role.
He mostly utilizes two pitches; a four-seam fastball and a slider. The slider is extremely effective while the heater blows by hitters at his velocity. Romano would be worth the dollars the Yankees could offer him, and he may be one of the cheapest closers on the market due to his recent injury and minimized season.
Right-Hander Kenley Jansen
The Yankees are looking to return to the World Series, with intentions of bringing the trophy back to the Bronx. Why not add talent that has the postseason experience?
Veteran closer Kenley Jansen is now a free agent after two seasons with the rival Boston Red Sox. Jansen put up an All-Star season in his age-35 season in 2023, saving 29 games with only four blown saves and a 3.63 ERA.
In 2024, he saved 27 games with only four blown saves and a 3.29 ERA. His repertoire has been consistent, with steady velocity and command. His veteran nature would be great to platoon with Weaver on the back end of the bullpen.
Jansen would be roughly a two-year signing based on age and quality. This will help the Yankees in save situations along with mentoring and developing Weaver, who seems to be where the Yankees have their long-term trust.
Photo Credit: © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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