New York Yankees: Dellin Betances Only Player Left To Settle

New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances is the final arbitration-eligible player yet to agree to a contract for 2017.

The New York Yankees had seven players that were arbitration eligible heading into the offseason. They have settled outside of an arbitration hearing with all but one of those players. The only player remaining that has yet to settle is relief pitcher Dellin Betances.

The Yankees and Betances exchanged numbers and they are not very close. Betances requested $5 million, which was only topped by six other players; Danny Duffy, Pedro Strop, Tony Watson, Drew Pomeranz, and Shelby Miller were the only players to ask for more. All of those players, except Miller, are in at least their second year of arbitration, so it should be no surprise their asking prices are higher.

The Yankees countered Betances with a $3 million offer, making the midpoint $4 million. MLB Trade Rumors projected Betances to earn a deal worth $3.4 million this offseason in the arbitration process.

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The hard-throwing Betances has become quite a weapon for the Yankees at the end of games. He has locked down a place at the end of the Yankees bullpen, earning an All-Star bid for three consecutive seasons. Betances was once a top-flight starting pitching prospect but has found a home with the Yankees in the bullpen.

In the past three seasons, Betances has thrown 247 innings, compiling a 1.91 ERA and 392 strikeouts while allowing only 145 hits and 92 walks. He has 22 saves, 79 holds, and only 13 blown saves during that time as he has become one of the best late-inning relievers in all of baseball.

To date, Betances has earned $1,517,100; he stands to at least double that this offseason in his first year being arbitration eligible. It will be quite a large increase in salary for a pitcher who is not a full-time closer. But, when you are as dominant as Betances has been you deserve to be paid.

The Yankees will be able to focus all of their efforts on locking Betances up and avoiding an arbitration hearing. The roster is pretty much set for Spring Training, with a left-handed reliever and veteran starting pitcher being the only thing the Yankees may add.

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They have also already agreed to settlements with all of their other arbitration-eligible players. Didi Gregorius will make $5.1 million in 2017, Michael Pineda agreed to a $7.4 million deal, Adam Warren will make $2.290 million, Tommy Layne agreed to a $1.075 million, and Austin Romine will make $805,000 in 2017. Aaron Hicks also agreed to a settlement, but the amount of his salary has not yet been reported.

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