Jake Cousins was a bright spot for the Yankees in 2024
Yankees reliever Jake Cousins was strikingly effective in 2024. At the surface, Cousins put forth a career season last time around. His 2.37 ERA and 1.053 WHIP were career-highs and he earned his first MLB.
At 30 years old, the pitcher’s ability to perform in crucial moments is a promising sign for the Yankees as they look to the future. In 2024, Cousins demonstrated his dominance against both right- and left-handed batters. Righties hit just .163 off him, while he held lefties to a mere .132 batting average.
Cousins excelled in tough situations, particularly on the road. Although he played 19 home games and 18 away, his ERA on the road was a stellar 1.37, compared to 3.44 at Yankee Stadium. 
In high-pressure scenarios, the Illinois native showed potential. While opponents posted a .724 OPS against him with runners in scoring position, Cousins limited batters to just one hit in 15 at-bats with two outs and runners in scoring position. However, he was less effective in the seventh inning, allowing three of his five home runs during that frame, while his performances in the eighth and ninth innings were more solid.
Thus, there’s reason to believe that the University of Pennsylvania product can take the next step in his career next season in New York. The Yankees are in danger of losing their All-Star closer Clay Holmes in free agency. That would only increase their need for Cousins to impose his will in his fifth season in the big leagues.
Whether or not he would see more time at closer would be up to Yankees manager Aaron Boone. It would also depend on which way general manager Brian Cashman would pivot should Holmes walk. Nevertheless, whichever inning Cousins owns, he’ll need to fence it up well and ensure that it’s unreachable.
