The New York Yankees are actively working to reposition themselves as contenders in the upcoming season, and the acquisition of San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto is a significant step in that direction. Pairing Soto with Aaron Judge creates one of the most formidable outfield duos in baseball, causing concern for opposing pitchers when they bat consecutively in the lineup.
While securing a star hitter was crucial, the Yankees also recognized the need to bolster their pitching staff. The importance of having a strong bullpen with quality arms cannot be overstated for sustained success throughout a season. Despite not translating into numerous victories, the Yankees boasted the best bullpen ERA in baseball at 3.34 last season.
In line with addressing pitching concerns, the Yankees recently added veteran reliever Matt Gage to their bullpen, as reported by Jon Heyman. Although Gage has limited MLB experience, having started his career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022, his brief outings have shown promise. During his debut season, he pitched 13.0 innings with an impressive 1.38 ERA. In the previous season with the Houston Astros, Gage contributed 6.2 innings with a solid 2.70 ERA.
While Gage may not be expected to be a game-changer for the Yankees, he could prove valuable as a left-handed option out of the bullpen. His spot on the roster will be contested during Spring Training, emphasizing the team’s commitment to refining its pitching staff. The Yankees understand that sometimes, it’s the unnoticed, smaller moves that can make a significant impact during the course of a season, and they hope Gage’s addition will pay off positively for them.
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