The New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets by a score of 5-2 in their Subway Series opener on Friday night thanks to an absolute gem from Cam Schlittler, but things got a little too dicey late.
David Bednar entered the game with a 5-1 lead in the ninth inning and proceeded to allow a run on a couple of hits and a walk before finally getting out of it.
It's been a recurring theme for Bednar, who owns a 3.79 ERA and 1.421 WHIP this season. Both numbers are rather unacceptable for a closer.
It would also be rather unacceptable if general manage Brian Cashman didn't make a move to fix this problem as soon as possible.
The MLB trade deadline is on Aug. 3, but Cashman can't wait that long. The Yankees' bullpen has already cost them too many games this season, and if Cashman sits on his laurels for the next two-and-a-half months, the results could be tragic.
Not only does New York need a better closer, but its bullpen in general has been messy. Camilo Doval owns a 5.74 ERA, Fernando Cruz's command is an adventure and Jake Bird simply cannot be trusted.
New York Yankees closer David Bednar. Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images.
Yes, it's fair to say that not many players are available for trade right now, but that doesn't mean Cashman can't start working the phones to see what's out there.
It's entirely possible that the Yankees may be able to pull off a big trade for a reliever in the coming weeks, and it's something the ballclub must do at some point this season if it wants to truly compete for a World Series title.
Sure, Ryan Weathers will likely be heading to the bullpen once Gerrit Cole returns (assuming Max Fried is also good to retake the mound). That will help. In fact, I have even campaigned for Weathers to potentially take over the closer role.
But New York needs more than that.
Even when Weathers does ultimately end up in the pen, the Yanks will have to find another relief pitcher to fortify things as a whole.
Remember: last summer, the Yankees landed all of Bednar, Doval and Bird at the deadline. Cashman should make a similar effort this time around.
New York's starting pitching is tremendous. It would be a complete shame for it to go to waste because of a shaky bullpen.
Cashman needs to act as soon as possible to fix this glaring hole before it causes the Yankees' season to unravel.
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