The New York Yankees are in the market for bullpen assistance, which has led them to an unlikely trade source.
The Yankees have reportedly been in contact with the lowly Colorado Rockies for reliever Jake Bird, who is having a resurgent season despite his team’s struggles.
The Rockies are on pace for just 41 wins, which would tie them with last year’s Chicago White Sox for fewest in MLB history. Still, Bird has been one of Colorado’s top relievers, sporting an ERA of 4.05 but a 4-1 record — sharing the team in wins.
In four seasons with the Rockies, Bird has an 11-10 record with a 4.42 ERA in 187 appearances over 230 1/3 innings.
Why Are The Yankees Interested in Jake Bird?
The Yankees have solid relief pitchers, but they have been taxed, especially high-leverage relievers Luke Weaver, Devin Williams and Tim Hill. The Yankees rank 22nd in MLB in bullpen ERA (4.22) and are 15-18 in one-run games and 2-6 in extra-inning games.
So, New York is in need of bullpen help and could target more than one reliever, including Bird.
“Several Yankees came away impressed with Bird when he had two appearances against them in Colorado in late May, one player told The Athletic,” Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reported. “The 29-year-old has the strikeout ability (10.5 per nine innings) that the Yankees surely would appreciate.
“Going into Saturday, Bird also had a 4.05 ERA (but also a 3.09 FIP) in 44 appearances. He wonât be a free agent until after the 2028 season, and itâs unclear how willing the Rockies would be to part with him if he could be part of future success.”
Bird’s numbers may not look impressive, but according to FanGraphs, he has been doomed by an unlucky .352 batting average on balls put in play and has an expected ERA of 3.33.
What Other Relievers Are The Yankees Targeting?
The Yankees may have bullpen issues at the moment, but there are reinforcements coming. Yerry De Los Santos, and his 2.08 ERA in 15 appearances, returned to the hill in relief against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.
Mark Leiter Jr, a 2024 trade deadline acquisition, is slated to start rehabbing from a fibular head fracture, and Fernando Cruz, and his 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, is also likely to return in the next few weeks.
The Yankees will not be targeting Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who was placed on administrative leave due to a sports-betting investigation Monday.
According to The Athletic, the Yankees bullpen has a 5.30 ERA since June 13, so they will need reinforcements. Still, New York has its eighth- and ninth-inning relievers in Williams and Weaver, especially since Williams is 3-1 with 12 saves, a 2.28 ERA and a 40-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and just two home runs allowed over his past 29 appearances.
Weaver, who spelled Williams earlier in the season as closer and was the team’s best high-leverage reliever in the playoffs a year ago, has struggled as Williams has rebounded. But Weaver has surrendered just two earned runs in his past 6 1/3 innings since July 9.
So the Yankees would be best suited targeting a high-leverage reliever like Bird or Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar or left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson, would make good options. Ferguson made 42 appearances for the Yankees last year.
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