The New York Yankees could consider making Tommy Kahnle their new closer for some reasons:
1. **Proven Track Record**: Kahnle has been a reliable reliever for the Yankees, showcasing an ability to pitch in high-leverage situations. He’s accumulated experience in the majors, demonstrating the mental toughness needed to close out games.
2. **Elite Stuff**: Kahnle’s fastball-changeup combination is devastating, especially his changeup, which has proven to be one of the best in the league. His ability to generate swing-and-miss with these pitches is crucial for a closer.
3. **Consistency**: Kahnle has shown consistency in getting hitters out from both sides of the plate, an important trait for a closer who faces a mix of lefties and righties in critical spots.
4. **Bullpen Flexibility**: Elevating Kahnle to the closer role could give the Yankees more flexibility to use other top arms like Michael King or Clay Holmes in earlier high-leverage situations. This could help shorten games, as the team can match up specific relievers to particular situations before Kahnle closes it out.
5. **Mental Toughness**: Closers need to handle pressure, and Kahnle has shown mental fortitude in tough situations. His high-energy persona and ability to bounce back after difficult outings give confidence that he can thrive in the closer’s role.
If the Yankees are looking to shuffle their bullpen roles, giving Kahnle a shot at the ninth inning could be a strategic move, especially if their current closer options are struggling or injured.