RELIEF ALL AROUND
During troubling times on and off field, Britton delivers for Yanks
Just like everything in this endless year, Zack Britton had no idea what to expect. The Yankees’ set-up man said that, after the season ended last month, he had no idea if he would be back in pinstripes or a free agent this month. Britton had an unusual option in his contract. The Yankees had to pick up the $14 million option for the 2022 season within three days of the conclusion of the World Series, or the lefty could have opted to become a free agent this winter.
Weeks after Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner went public with his concerns about the financial losses the team took in 2020, Britton said that left him unsure if he would hear from Yankees GM Brian Cashman at all.
“Due to the financial situation teams are in from what they are saying, I didn’t know,” Britton said Wednesday night in an interview on the YES Network. “It was nice to get that call from Cash.’’
He will make $13 million in 2021.
In any other year, it would have been a no-brainer. Britton was arguably one of the Yankees’ most effective and consistent relievers this season. He went 8-for-8 in save opportunities when Aroldis Chapman was in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 during “summer camp.” In 20 appearances in the pandemic-shortened season, Britton pitched to a 1.89 ERA.
Britton’s year went beyond his work on the field, however.
The 32-year-old was also the Yankees’ union rep and helped navigate the players through the bizarre 2020 season. He was the conduit for information from the negotiation to restart the season after MLB shut down spring training and four months of the season as the coronavirus ravaged the nation. Britton was the messenger that helped get the team and players on board with the protocols for the unusual season. He helped emphasize the seriousness of keeping vigil on the protocols to keep the season on track. He also helped negotiate a two-game series with the Orioles after the Yankees’ schedule was waylaid early by the Marlins COVID-19 outbreak.
Cashman actually made a point of praising Britton for his role as the union rep this season in his annual end-of-the season press conference.
“I want to really give a major shout out to Zack Britton who obviously had the higher level of responsibilities as our player rep and the go-between with our ownership and front office on behalf of his union and his teammates and in a time that obviously was really a difficult position I’m sure to be in,” the Yankees GM said.
And the Yankees will need to have Britton back in that role heading into what will likely be an interesting start to the 2021 season as well.
While two successful vaccines are apparently on the horizon, MLB is already privately doubtful about being able to have a normal 2021. Rumors have been flying through some teams that spring training could be delayed, shortened and altered to limit the exposure of players and staff.
Still, however, they are hopeful they will get an entire 162-game regular season in — with some fans in the ballparks. Owners, who have publicly claimed huge financial losses from not having fans in the stands in 2020, are desperate to open their gates back up as soon as possible in 2021. ut, Britton said that, after this 2020 experience, he wouldn’t be comfortable predicting anything about 2021 at this point.
“I am not sure. After everything we went through (in 2020), I would never put my name to anything at this stage. I have no idea,’’ Britton told YES’ Meredith Marakovits. “I am hopeful we can play 162 games with a regular spring training and the world goes back to normal so we all can do that.”
“But we will be prepared for any situation that comes up,” Britton said. “You can never be too certain at this stage of the year.’’
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