The New York Yankees have been enjoying a great start to the 2024 season. Fans hoped that the team would have a start like this after all the significant changes the front office made in the offseason. However, what they may not have expected was the form of the bullpen. During the spring training this year, the lineup looked good, but there were some doubts regarding the starting pitching lineup.
Moreover, the ace pitcher of the NY side suffered a right elbow injury that kept him out of the game for one to two months. Without Gerrit Cole, the pitching department did not look like a strength of the Yankees. However, the bullpen of the Bronx Bombers more or less proved the doubters wrong. Among the successful pitchers in the bullpen, there is one name that is shining bright. And that’s Clay Holmes. However, it looks like the Yankees will lose Holmes in the next free agency.
Yankees Might Even Consider To Extend The Contract Of The All-Star Closer
Surprisingly enough, the Yankees have the best bullpen at present, with an unbelievable 2.27 ERA. Clay Holmes played an instrumental role in the success of the Pinstripes so far. He had a fantastic start to the ongoing season. Holmes joined the NY side in 2021. Since then, he has been a great performer for the Bronx Bombers. However, Clay Holmes is having his best season for the Yankees this year. Despite him being one of the best relievers in baseball for the last few years, the NY side has not talked about a contract extension with him yet. Holmes will be a free agent after this season is over. Hence, his future in pinstripes is a little murky so far. In the last several years, the Bronx Bombers have managed to maintain a strong bullpen. But at present, the first priority of Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner should be to extend the contract of Clay Holmes.
Next free agency will put the Yankees into really tough position where they will need to make some tough calls. Moreover, Holmes might cost a lot more in the next offseason than he does right now. According to Fan Nation’s Inside the Pinstripes, the Yankees should do whatever it takes to extend Holmes’ time in the Bronx. The bullpen has been a major strength of the Bombers and Holmes has been its biggest asset in the last few seasons. Hence, prior to any team starting a bidding war for him, it is better if the NY side assures him of his place in the bullpen.
How Good Clay Holmes Has Been This Season?
In 2024, Clay Holmes has appeared in 16 games. So far, he has not allowed a run. On top of that, Holmes is leading the league in saves. He has got 11 saves so far. If that was not enough, the All-Star closer has got 18 strikeouts. So far, the veteran closer has pitched 16 1/3 innings.
But he has just allowed one walk so far. That’s how impactful Clay Holmes has been on the Yankees bullpen, which has posted an eye-popping 2.27 ERA so far. If the Bronx Bombers want to go deep in the playoffs this year, the bullpen must keep up the good work.
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