Should The Yankees Consider Going With An Opener?

We saw the trend of the “opener” catch on for teams last season.  Tampa Bay and Oakland took the trend further than other teams.  So, the question is, will the Yankees consider this option in 2019?

“If we did do it (Green and Holder) would be prime candidates to start the game,” Boone said. “To have them kind of go through the routine — just because it is a little bit different for a relief pitcher to start games — to have them go through the routine of getting ready for the start of the game, I think there is some value in that,” reported the New York Daily News on Tuesday.

Chad Green “opened” for Luis Cessa on Tuesday in the Yankees 6-2 win over the Rays and today Jonathan Holder “opens” for Domingo German.  The quad of pitchers have all be effective in spring trainer and that combo could be lethal during the season if the Yankees push the strategy forward.

“Doing (this) in spring training, just to know how long it takes to warm up, not based on game situation,” Green said. “Trial and error maybe. I think the only difference in the mound is (it’s) brand new when you are going today. Overall, it’s pretty much the same,” said Green, reported the News.

Dellin Betances is yet another addition to the DL with shoulder inflammation.  Luis Severino is expected to be out until May and who knows what CC Sabathia will have to give this season.  Considering the opener strategy is not a bad idea given the potential of pitching combinations the Yankees may need to employ to win ball games.  I would love to see Green and even Jonathan Loaisiga in the role as opener.  It’s a very interesting idea.  Aaron Boone may just be on to something…yes, I am giving him a high five. Let’s see how the whole idea plays out.

–Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof