Steven graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications, focusing on film studies, journalism and theatre arts. Dubbed a "prolific" writer by Hollywood icon Kenneth Johnson (The Incredible Hulk, V, The Bionic Woman, Alien Nation), Steven has been honored by the Arkansas College Media Association for his story writing prowess. He has also received recognition for his dramatic writing from the Eerie, Shriekfest and Screamfest horror film festivals. Publications include: Carroll County News, Saline Courier, Forum, Echo and Moroch.

New York's Bullpen Sports Two-Headed Monster at Closer

Posted Monday, February 23, 2015, at 3:04 PM

New York Manager Joe Girardi has powerful options in the bullpen for the Yankees 2015 closer.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Which pitcher will emerge as the closer for the New York Yankees? It's still a matter of conjecture, which should play out during spring training, but NY Manager Joe Girardi said there's a possibility Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller could end up co-closers.

"It would not be my first choice, but it's something you could definitely think about," Girardi said. "If you had in the eighth, right-left-right, and then in the ninth, left-right-left, I don't know. I've got to see where they both are at the end of Spring Training and how interchangeable they are, and then we'll make a decision, but I would like to have it ironed out before we leave."

"I'm sure we'll have a lot of meetings about that," Girardi explained. "We'll decide what's best. We want to see how they're both throwing the baseball at the end of Spring Training. There will be just a lot of discussion of how we feel our team is built. Could they be interchangeable? Yeah."

Dellin Betances made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2011. He has a record of 5-0 with an ERA of 2.03 with 147 strikeouts. "For me, I'm just going to try to do the same thing, whether it's the seventh, eighth or ninth," Betances said. "I'm just going to try to take the same approach I did last year and not try to make too big a deal about who gets that job."

The Yankees signed Andrew Miller to a 4-year deal worth $36 million last December. His record is 30-38 with an ERA of .490 with, ironically, 490 Ks. "I have no ego in it, and I'm ready to fill whatever role is necessary or fits best for the team," Miller said. "My goal is to win. If I'm handing the ball off to somebody, whoever that may be, I have no problem with that."

All in all, Girardi must know it's not a bad problem to have in his bullpen. "You like to have the guys know their roles, if you can, but sometimes roles change -- and sometimes players force a change in role," Girardi said. "Betances forced a change in roles last year. Adam Warren forced a change as he continued to improve. I don't think you can just say, 'This is what it is, and this is what it's going to be.'"