The Yankees reportedly fear that Michael King has been lost for the season with a fracture in his right elbow after abruptly leaving Friday’s outing.
For a team having a fairytale season, there is no sugarcoating the impact that King’s loss will have on the bullpen, the team’s ability to lock down close games, and potentially the team’s plans at the trade deadline.
First, let’s look at what the Yankees will be losing in King. His 1.9 WAR is top 10 on the team as a reliever, and tied for the highest on the team by a reliever, equaling All-Star closer Clay Holmes. He ranks third in the American League in FanGraphs WAR, and had been enjoying a renaissance season in which he was boasting career-highs in K/9 (11.65), BB/9 (2.82), HR/9 (0.53), ERA (2.29), and FIP (2.23). He has 16 appearances this season in which we was able to throw more than an inning, helping to shorten the bridge between the starting rotation and Holmes in the ninth. Every way you spin it, King has been vital to the Yankees’ success this season.
So, that is what the Yanks lose in King. The outlook gets even worse when you examine who could take King’s innings the rest of the way, unless the Yankees add before the trade deadline. Aroldis Chapman, who just allowed a three-run home run on Friday and is holding a miserable 5.75 ERA this season, could be put in more higher leverage spots without King available, and the same could go for Jonathan Loaisiga, who also allowed a run on Friday and has given little reason to hope that his IL stint helped him reset and get back on track toward his 2021 trajectory.
Suddenly, the Yankees’ powerful pen is showing all kinds of cracks. Chapman and Loaisiga continue to be shells of their former selves. Miguel Castro remains on the IL with a shoulder strain. Chad Green has already been lost for the season. Zack Britton could make a late season return, but who knows what his efficiency will be like after so much time on the shelf.
Brian Cashman has shown in the past that he can change the outlook of a bullpen with one swift move. He added David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle in a 2017 trade with the White Sox that arguably saved the Yanks from elimination in the Wild Card Game. Perhaps he will have a similar move up his sleeve, but after the losses to the Astros highlighted the need for an offensive upgrade, Friday’s win over Baltimore showed that the bullpen needs close attention as well, especially after losing one of their best, and one of the league’s best.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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