Bronx Bomber Ball

In the eighth episode of the Bronx Bomber Blog Podcast, Chad Raines, Bryan Peng, and Steven Eareckson discuss the trade that brought Aroldis Chapman into the Bronx and its effect on the bullpen as well as the starting rotation. We conclude with answering your questions, which you can send by tweeting them to @bronxbomberblog using the hashtag #BBBMailbag on Twitter. Follow Chad  @chad_rain Follow Steve  @stevethescholar Follow the BBB  @bronxbomberblog

Man, where do I start? The 2015 season was our first season on twitter and as a blog. We started from scratch and we're now one of the most popular non-professional Yankee blogs. It just so happened that the Yankees made it to the postseason in our first season we've covered. On behalf of all contributors at the BBB, I owe it all to our followers and readers for the support this past season!

The 2015 season was a fun and surprising one for the Yankees. An aging team that wasn’t expected to contend, they exceeded expectations in part to a lethal offense and shut-down back end of the pen. There were a lot of great moments and here are the BBB’s selections for the best ones of the season.

With the Baseball Writers Association of America set to reveal the 2016 Hall of Fame ballot on January 6 th , Yankees fans anxiously await the possibility of seeing former pinstriper Mike Mussina achieve baseball immortality. Unfortunately for “The Moose” many writers have been reluctant to place him on their ballot because he never won a Cy Young Award or led the American League in ERA. In the righty’s first two years of HOF eligibility, Mussina was overlooked due in part to comparisons with inductees Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Randy Johnson, who are some of the best pitchers of all time. Because of those factors, Mussina garnered just 20.3% and 24.6% of the vote in 2014 and 2015 respectively. However, with Ken Griffey Jr. being the only shoe-in for the 2016 ballot, this could be the year Mussina receives the needed 75% of the BBWAA’s votes and his long overdue welcome to Cooperstown.

Just like many Yankees fans, I was jumping for joy upon hearing the news that Brian Cashman acquired Aroldis Chapman for four lower level prospects yesterday evening. Putting possible suspension issues for Chapman's role in an October domestic abuse incident aside for a second, I've been thinking about who should be the team's closer. Andrew Miller was nothing short of amazing as closer last season, and I would hate to disrupt what had been the team's greatest, and arguably only, strength. The Yankees were 81-0 when leading after eight innings in 2015. I understand Chapman is one of, if not the best, reliever in baseball, however if it's not broken don't fix it. Andrew Miller's transition from elite set up man to elite closer could not have been any more successful. Chapman is an amazing proven talent, however Miller earned the job last season, and it's rightfully his.

Have you heard? Some Cuban flamethrower has been traded to the Yankees for four minor leaguers. In what was a wildly unexpected afternoon, Aroldis Chapman has landed with the New York Yankees, hopefully leaving his handgun in Florida.

The Yankees have acquired left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds for minor league right-handers Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis as well as infielders Eric Jagielo and Tony Renda. Despite Chapman only being under control for one season and potentially serving a suspension for his domestic violence allegations, this appears to be a steal for the Yankees.

OFFICIAL: #Yankees get: LHP Aroldis Chapman #Reds get: RHPs Caleb Cotham & Rookie Davis and INFs Eric Jagielo & Tony Renda. — Bronx Bombers (@BronxBomberBlog) December 28, 2015 This trade was first reported by @JackCurryYES and the full deal was reported by  @BryanHoch.

This offseason has been full of Andrew Miller trade rumors, but the only late inning reliever the Yankees have traded so far is Justin Wilson. Wilson had a good year in his lone season in pinstripes, going 5-0 with a 3.10 ERA in 74 games. Wilson was a perfect fit for the 7 th inning and now it’s the Yankees job this offseason to replace his role. One possibility of a replacement might already be on the roster and that pitcher is lefty James Pazos.

As was evidenced by last season's outcome, the fate of the Yankees ultimately rests on the shoulders of the overpaid veterans that many fans have become accustomed to complaining about. It is no surprise that the resurgence of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira fueled the Yankees offense, and helped propel the team into first place up until early August. Following Teixeira's inevitable injury, and Rodriguez's decline in production, the entire Yankees offense followed suit. I've identified six veteran players whose production is essential to a successful 2016 season. This is not to say that the younger players are not as important, however the threat of injury and lack of production from the six players I've singled out will go a long way in determining whether or not the Yankees can make a return to the playoffs. Considering the amount of money tied up in these six players, it is essential that they play to their fullest ability, or we will be looking at yet another d...