Joe Girardi announces Yankees' plans for Aroldis Chapman
Before racking up 36 saves for the Yankees last season, Andrew Miller compiled 45 holds and all of one save from 2006 to 2014.
Looks like he better get used to focusing on holds again.
During an interview on the Yankees’ YES Network on Monday, New York manager Joe Girardi said that Aroldis Chapman, and not Miller, will enter spring training as the team’s closer.
Aroldis Chapman will be the Yankees closer heading into spring training, says Joe Girardi. https://t.co/mqBrE7bmJU
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 12, 2016
The Yankees acquired the left-handed Chapman, the hardest thrower in baseball, in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds last month, giving up four minor leaguers in return.
The Reds originally had a deal in place to send the 27-year-old Chapman, a four-time All-Star, to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that trade fell through in early December when it was learned Florida police investigated an accusation of domestic violence involving the Cuban pitcher.
Major League Baseball is currently investigating, and Chapman could face a suspension under the sport's new domestic violence policy.
Miller will now join Dellin Betances as Chapman’s set-up men, giving the back end of the New York bullpen the top three relievers by strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings in the majors last year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report