RUMOR: YANKEES MAY BE DONE WITH HOLMES AS A CLOSER

The Yankees say to expect some changes next season. We are all wondering what that really means. Could one of those changes be a new closer? Is Clay Holmes on notice?

That could be an upgrade, if the Yankees get the right guy for the job. According to NJ.com HERE, Jim Bowden thinks the Yankees could be shopping for a new closer, and Josh Hader would be an obvious fit. He's a three-time NL Reliever of the Year award winner who will definitely have the interest of many teams this winter.

Bowden gave a breakdown of Hader's stats:

"One of the game's most dominant closers, Josh Hader put together a strong free agent walk year, recording a 1.28 ERA and 33 saves with 85 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings. He wants to be the highest-paid closer in the sport and I think he will be, by average annual value, when he signs his next contract this winter. He ranked in the 100th percentile in xBA and in the 99th percentile in both ERA and strikeout percentage. Opposing batters hit just .190 against his two-seam fastball and .100 against his slider."

Now would Hal Steinbrenner open up his purse strings to pay Hader a highest-paid closer salary? Who knows at this point with Hal. The Yankees have the deepest pockets so they COULD but.... would they? There's a lot to like about Hader, but what about Holmes?

I don't dislike Holmes as a closer. I guess I have never really thought about Holmes as our closer, that's not how his journey started out with us. But are his days as a closer for us, coming to an end?
When you compare Holmes and Hader on paper, there is a lot to like. Hader has appeared in more games, thrown more innings, has a lower ERA and allowed fewer walks per nine innings. Hader has been able to keep hitters off balance and limits the damage, which any team can appreciate. He strikes out 15.3 batters per nine innings which ranks second among MLB relievers since 2018.

Hader's biggest blemish would be he allows more home runs per nine innings at 1.1 compared to Holmes 0.5 home runs per nine innings. Holmes can keep the ball in the park, which is important in Yankee stadium.

I'll give credit to Jim Bowden; he has a lot of baseball knowledge and was a former GM. He knows what teams are looking for, he's been there. But is he right about the Yankees looking for a new closer? I am leaning towards no. The Yankees have other needs that are more pressing, but maybe I am wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj