The New York Yankees have focused on strengthening their bullpen this offseason, parting ways with struggling closer Clay Holmes, who blew 13 saves in 2024, sending him to the New York Mets in free agency. The Yankees then secured Luke Weaver, who took over as closer from Holmes in September, earning four saves, three wins, and a hold in nine appearances that month.
Further bolstering their bullpen, the Yankees traded starter Nestor Cortes, infielder Caleb Durbin, and cash to the Milwaukee Brewers for two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams. Weaver is now set to return to his role as the primary setup man, giving the Yankees what appears to be a formidable back end of the bullpen.
However, the Yankees are still looking to add another dominant arm to shorten games, with reports from MLB insider Jon Heyman on Thursday indicating that left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin is a top target for the team, alongside Tim Hill.
While Chafin, who split the 2024 season between the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers, posted a solid 3.51 ERA and struck out 70 batters in 56 1/3 innings, Hill, also 34, spent last season with the Yankees but was not re-signed. Hill’s low strikeout rate (18 in 44 innings) makes him a less likely option to fill the lefty spot in the bullpen.
A potentially more appealing target is Minnesota Twins’ 26-year-old right-hander Jhoan Duran. Known for his impressive velocity, Duran recorded five pitches clocked at 104 mph or higher in the 2023 season. He is younger, throws harder, and is considered a more cost-effective option than Chafin.
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