Three Relievers the Yankees Could/Should Target in a Trade
The Trade Deadline is July 31 at 3 p.m. EDT
We’ve hit July, and the trade rumors continue to heat up.
With injuries to Fernando Cruz, Yerry De Los Santos, and a season-ending Tommy John Surgery for Jake Cousins, the Yankees’ bullpen is thin.
Returning three weeks earlier than expected, Luke Weaver allowed at least two earned runs in four of his last seven outings, surrendering three home runs in 1.2 innings thus far in July.
Mark Leiter Jr.’s ERA on the road is 6.23, compared to a 2.65 mark at home. Jonathan Loaisiga’s sinker velocity is down 1.3 mph since 2024, but he still could be a crucial member of New York’s bullpen down the stretch.
The Yankees’ rotation thinned out this past weekend, too, as Clarke Schmidt is headed for his second Tommy John Surgery. The undependable Marcus Stroman and floundering Carlos Rodon create an uneasy reliance on the relievers to record at least 12-15 outs a night.
That formula is unsustainable.
Considering that, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman should be active at this year’s trade deadline, calling front offices about the availability of bullpen arms. Of course, the demand for relievers outweighs the supply around the league, as fringe contenders haven’t decided yet whether to buy or sell.
Below are three relievers the Yankees should target at the deadline, and what they bring to the table.
Jake Bird, RHP, Colorado Rockies
The Yankees desperately need pitchers with strikeout stuff for the later innings of games. To not overcomplicate things, Bird could bring a significant boost in the swing and miss department.
The 29-year-old throws a heavy dose of sliders and sinkers, striking out 58 in 48.1 innings as of Monday night for a horrible Rockies club. Given his success this season, the Rockies would be wise to move him for a potentially satisfying return.
Bird is under club control through 2028, and his trade value may never be higher. There’s also the chance his numbers improve outside of an exceedingly hitter-friendly environment like Coors Field in Denver.
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake Bird (59) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Oracle Park. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Taylor Rogers, LHP, Cincinnati Reds
Aside from Tim Hill, the Yankees lack lefties in the bullpen. Rogers is not the prototypical modern-day hard-throwing reliever, but he gets the job done in other ways, similar to Hill.
He owns a 2.86 ERA in 35 games this year, doing so with just a sinker and slider in his pitch arsenal. Opposing hitters batted .188 against Rogers in his previous 4.2 innings, and he could be a more reliable option as an innings-eater than JT Brubaker or the inexperienced Jayvien Sandridge, who the Yankees optioned back to the minors.
The Reds are playoff hopefuls, and a few bad weeks may force them to sell in preparation for 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Taylor Rogers walks to the dugout against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
David Bednar, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
An All-Star two seasons ago, the Pirates optioned Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis just one week into 2025. He’s returned to peak form, winning the National League Reliever of the Month for June.
In June, Bednar went 5-for-5 in save situations and allowed no earned runs in 10 innings, striking out 16. His 97 mph fastball contributed to an opponent’s batting average of .121.
Bednar’s salary figure is set to increase during the arbitration process this coming winter, and the Pirates may prefer to trade him now and avoid paying a raise. The Yankees could find the 30-year-old quite useful alongside Weaver and Devin Williams, but it may cost more than one prospect to complete a deal.
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Honorable Mentions
Seranthony Dominguez, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (35.1 IP, .620 OPS, 32.6 K%)
Anthony Bender, RHP, Miami Marlins (38 IP, .559 OPS, 18.2 K%)
Steven Matz, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (47 IP, .646 OPS, 22.2 K%)
Image Credit: New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman before game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
More to come!