It’s been nearly 24 hours since Clay Holmes became one of the most-talked-about names among Yankees fans. With the postseason approaching, many are questioning whether Holmes can remain the Bronx Bombers’ closer. Manager Aaron Boone has hinted that he might need to get creative with the role.
Yankees’ closer role in question after Clay Holmes’ latest blown save
Clay Holmes has become a focal point of conversation among New York Yankees fans after a costly mistake on Tuesday night. The All-Star closer surrendered a walk-off grand slam to Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford, sealing a 7-4 defeat for the Yankees. The loss dropped New York half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East standings.
Clay Holmes’ 11th blown save of the season has intensified scrutiny over his role as the team’s closer, especially with the playoffs approaching. Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed the situation on Wednesday, indicating that the team may need to get “creative” in deciding who will handle closing duties in the short term.
While Boone confirmed that Clay Holmes remains an option, he also hinted at other potential candidates, though none have a standout record. Jake Cousins has allowed runs in three consecutive appearances, Luke Weaver gave up two runs on Monday despite a prior streak of scoreless outings, and Tommy Kahnle struggled in his last two appearances. Mark Leiter Jr., a trade deadline acquisition, holds a 6.08 ERA since joining the team, while Tim Hill has faltered only once in his last nine outings. Tim Mayza, despite recent success, had a rough start with the Yankees.
In the same interview, Boone said “never say never” when asked if Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt could be late-inning bullpen options. He also reiterated that Clay Holmes could still be in the mix.
The Yankees, currently holding an 80-59 record after a strong start to the season, are in a precarious position. While they could secure the best record in baseball, a downturn could see them slip as low as the sixth seed in the American League. The outcome may heavily depend on how the team manages the ninth inning in the coming weeks.
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