The day after the trade deadline, New York Yankees general manager
Brian Cashman told reporters he was comfortable with Clay Holmes as his closer and did not enter the marketplace looking to replace him. It could be a decision that lingers well after the season is over.The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox. Kopech has thrown 15 1/3 innings, allowed just one run and struck out 20 batters since the trade. The Philadelphia Phillies acquired Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estévez, who has a 1.84 ERA since becoming a Phillie. The Yankees traded for Mark Leiter Jr., who has a 6.08 ERA in pinstripes, and Enyel De Los Santos, who was designated for assignment and now pitches for the Chicago White Sox, a team trending toward being the worst in MLB history.
Neither move has worked out well for the Yankees. They hoped Leiter would be a go-to option in the late innings, but he’s been rocked as a Yankee and has not been used in high-leverage situations in multiple days. The lack of elite options out of the bullpen is costing the Yankees wins. And Tuesday’s performance against the Texas Rangers was the worst display yet that the Yankees needed better relievers at the deadline.
Holmes blew his 11th save of the season, leading to a 7-4 Rangers win. He allowed two walks and two hits, including a walk-off grand slam to outfielder Wyatt Langford. It’s the first walk-off grand slam the Yankees have surrendered since 2008 when Marlon Byrd took Damaso Marte deep to end a game.
The loss Tuesday is the Yankees’ eighth loss when leading in the ninth inning or later; only the Colorado Rockies, with nine, have more.[
www.nytimes.com]
