Betances Prepared to be Yankees' Closer if Needed

Now that David Robertson's playing for the White Sox, the Yankees have a decision to make with their closing role.

Robertson was set to be the team's successor to Mariano Rivera at this point last year, but his sudden departure has seemingly exposed a hole in its bullpen. The Yankees signed Andrew Miller last Friday, but he's never been much more than a set-up man.

So who will pitch ninth innings for them next season? Dellin Betances is always an option, and he says he's up for it.

"For me, I think I would just try to treat everything the same, no matter what happens," Betances told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch Friday. "I know obviously it's a different role, but I'm just looking forward to helping the team win, no matter what situation they want me in."

Last year that situation largely consisted of throwing eighths, where Betances thrived. He struck out 135 hitters while maintaining a 1.40 ERA in 70 appearances, putting him in the running for AL Rookie of the Year.

Yet he's confident any of the guys in the current group could succeed if chosen to replace Robertson, referring to many by name. 

"I believe in the guys we have down there, especially getting [Andrew] Miller," Betances said. "He's a guy that is a high strikeout guy and can get both lefties and righties out. We still have [Adam] Warren, [Shawn] Kelley and a bunch of guys down there that can help us out as well."

Warren and Kelley were certainly solid in 2014, and when Kelley temporarily took over Robertson's duties in May, he recorded four saves. As for Warren, his sub-three ERA can't hurt his chances either, though he tended to struggle under pressure.

Nonetheless, it appears the two primary candidates for the job right now are Miller and Betances, both of whom had five wins last season.