Yankees Will Win as Long as Mo Doesn't Take the Mound

After years of being the best closer in baseball, Mariano Rivera is not the same pitcher. Over the last two years there has been a decline in his efficiency.

Some days he will appear un-hittable. Other days, he is nothing but ordinary.

I am not saying Rivera is not the greatest closer ever. He certainly is. But, he is not automatic any longer.

In order for the Yankees to win the American League East they have to give Rivera at least a two run lead in the ninth.

His latest blown save and loss are not the reasons for alarm. It is watching him over the course of the past two years. Almost every ninth inning is a nailbiter. No one should feel safe handing the ball over to Mo with a one run lead or a tie in the ninth.

David Robertson is not necessarily the answer. He is called Houdini because he has to pull off a miracle often to make it through the eighth.

Rafael Soriano just may be the best reliever they have. At least if he is healthy. Right now, he is pitching the seventh inning and I do not think he will move from that spot.

I doubt highly Manager Joe Girardi will even think about demoting Mo. That goes against every thing the Yankees are. The Yankees more than any other team are faithful to their players. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera will be in New York way past their prime or possibly even their usefulness.

The Yankees do not just trade players and move on. That is both a positive and a negative. Who would feel comfortable seeing Jeter in another uniform?

That leads us back to Rivera. He will not move from being the Yankee closer anytime soon. Unless, he retires he will remain the main man in the bullpen.

Knowing this, means the Yankees will probably not win the American League East or the World Series. That is unless they can give Rivera at least a two run lead in the ninth the rest of the year.