Will Dellin Betances Be The Next Yankee to Receive An Extension?

Now that the New York Yankees have extended Luis Severino, the team has made an effort to continue the trend of extending their star players. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has met with reliever Dellin Betances’ agent, regarding a potential extension. According to Hoch, Betances expressed that he wants to stay with the team, saying “I love New York.”

Since beginning his MLB career with the Yankees, Betances is a four time All-Star, and has been a valuable asset to the Yankees’ dominant bullpen in recent seasons. While he has had struggles throughout his career, when Betances is on the top of his game, he is one of the best middle relievers in baseball right now. Although he has primarily been a setup man these past few years, and closers are usually the prized possession in bullpens, Betances will be relied on in key moments in 2019. Betances should have a successful season, regardless of whether or not he gets his extension, because the Yankees have many options in the bullpen, which will keep Betances fresh and ready when he is called upon, as opposed to pitching every night and being susceptible to overuse, which had been an issue for him towards the end of previous seasons.

Betances is a free agent after this season, so they will need to act fast on an extension, as the Yankees are known to settle contract extensions exclusively during the offseason. If the Yankees and Betances do agree on an extension, not only will it secure Betances for the long term, it will also amend any animosity that both sides had from Betances losing his arbitration case in 2017. Although it seems that the Yankees have patched that situation up already, due to Betances having already expressed wanting to stay in New York. Signing him to an extension would only confirm that both sides have moved on from that and are focused on winning.

If the Yankees can reach an extension with Betances, that, may not be the last one this offseason. Aaron Judge or Gary Sanchez could be next, since their arbitration years are approaching, which could lead to the Yankees repeating their move with Severino. Other players that may not receive extensions, but the Yankees should still look to keep, are Aaron Hicks and Didi Gregorius, due to their production since joining the Yankees. The Yankees are making the right decisions to secure their own players for the future, and it will pay off in the long term.