Should the Yankees trade Miller or keep elite bullpen intact?
The New York Yankees suddenly have one of the most dominant bullpens in baseball after acquiring fireballer Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, but the surplus of arms also gives Yankees general manager Brian Cashman some other scenarios to consider.
Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, and Chapman dramatically increase New York's chances of holding leads from the seventh inning on, but Cashman could elect to deal one of them in order to address other needs.
Here are three scenarios Cashman is surely considering:
Why the Yankees should trade Miller
Greg Warren: Trading Miller would instantly revitalize a heavily depleted Yankees' farm system. It took four prospects to pry Chapman from Cincinnati, and the same amount of young players to relocate Craig Kimbrel to Boston earlier this fall. Additionally, Miller is owed $27 million over the next three years. Chapman and Betances are still arbitration-eligible, which means dealing Miller's contract would alleviate the most financial pressure for the club. New York's aging roster is a concern, so it'd be wise to replenish its 40-man roster by trading away the player that could potentially yield the biggest return.
Why the Yankees should hold on to their 3-headed monster
Brandon Wile: If watching the World Series-winning Kansas City Royals has taught us anything, it's that a dominant bullpen is key to success. The Betances-Miller tandem was almost automatic last season, with the Yankees going 72-3 when leading after seven. An over reliance on Betances forced manager Joe Girardi to use his setup man 74 times - the second-highest mark against AL relievers. Keeping the trio intact not only lessons the workload on Betances and Miller, but also helps protect a rotation that currently poses concerns with durability and effectiveness. Only three relievers eclipsed the 100-strikeout plateau last season - the Yankees now employ all of them.
Why the Yankees should wait for the MLB investigation
Warren: A potential suspension for Chapman could be a blessing in disguise for Cashman. Chapman is eligible for arbitration for a third and final time this year, but if he receives a lengthy suspension, it may delay his service clock long enough so the Yankees can keep him under control for the 2017 season. This would eliminate the immediate concern for an extension, and add some financial flexibility for 2017. Obviously, keeping the trio of relievers would be more enticing under this scenario.