The Yankees are staring at a likely Wild Card Series matchup with the Red Sox, and that means Aaron Boone may have to get a little unconventional when he puts together his postseason roster.
Boone has already been looking at a probable starting group of Cam Schlittler, Max Fried and Gerrit Cole, and that setup could force some interesting decisions elsewhere. The bullpen, in particular, looks like the area where the Yankees might try to squeeze in a few unexpected arms for a short, intense three-game set.
That kind of flexibility matters because the Yankees will need 54 outs to get through the Red Sox and advance to the Divisional round. And with relievers Brent Headrick and Paul Blackburn both showing some wear after workloads of more than 77 innings apiece, the Yankees may need help bridging the gap to closer David Bednar.
Ryan Weathers is one name that could change the shape of the roster if he’s healthy enough to return. He has been out since August with a nagging elbow flexor strain, and that injury could keep him from even finishing the regular season.
With the Yankees’ first postseason game set for September 29, time is tight. Still, if Weathers can get back and give them an inning or two, he brings real punch: a 9.4 K/9 rate this season and nine ground ball double plays in high-leverage spots.
That kind of swing-and-miss, ground-ball mix would help Boone preserve his other relievers for later innings.
Yerry de los Santos is another possible Wild Card surprise, though his profile is very different. He’s not the kind of arm you’d want in a knife-fight game, given a career WHIP of 1.334, but that may not be how Boone uses him.
In a lopsided game in either of the first two contests, de los Santos could be the guy who eats innings and keeps the higher-leverage bullpen pieces fresh for the next day. He has also shown the ability to keep the ball on the ground and limit damage, which gives him a path to a useful role even if he’s not the first choice in a tight spot.
Then there’s Elmer Rodriguez, who looked like a different pitcher after his most recent call-up in August. That surge has at least opened the door to the idea that he could be a factor in October, even if not as a starter this year.
Rodriguez works with a power sinker and a four-seamer that help him get ahead and set up his breaking stuff. The results have been eye-catching: hitters are slugging just .182 against his sweeper and an even uglier .091 off his curveball.
If Boone wants a young arm with enough fastball quality to attack hitters and enough breaking-ball bite to miss bats, Rodriguez fits the bill.
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