With All-Star closer Clay Holmes reportedly heading to the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees are eyeing internal prospects to fill the void. Promising young arms from their farm system are set to step up, aiming to fortify the bullpen and maintain the team’s competitive edge in the upcoming season.
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The New York Yankees are bracing for significant changes to their bullpen, with All-Star closer Clay Holmes reportedly set to join the Baltimore Orioles. Holmes, a pivotal figure since his 2021 acquisition from the Pittsburgh Pirates, is expected to sign a two-year, $24 million contract with the Orioles.
Holmes’ anticipated exit leaves a substantial gap in the Yankees’ relief corps. In response, the organization is evaluating internal candidates and potential acquisitions to assume the closer role. One prominent name is Fernando Cruz, a 34-year-old right-hander acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in December 2024. Cruz’s journey from infielder to pitcher has been unconventional, but his impressive strikeout rate and effective splitter make him a strong contender for late-inning responsibilities.
Additionally, the Yankees have shown interest in left-hander Tanner Scott, formerly of the Miami Marlins. Scott’s high-velocity fastball and experience in high-leverage situations could provide the bullpen with a much-needed boost.
The team is also monitoring the progress of prospects like Eric Reyzelman, who had a standout 2024 season in Double-A with a 1.93 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 23 1/3 innings. Despite a recent health scare during spring training due to an allergic reaction, Reyzelman remains a promising option for the bullpen.
As the Yankees navigate this transitional phase, the development and performance of these pitchers will be crucial in maintaining the team’s bullpen strength in the upcoming season.
