The New York Yankees need another high-leverage reliever and could look at the trade market to fill that need.
New York’s closer in 2026 is expected to be David Bednar. Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz are expected to be the setup men. But the Yankees could use another elite reliever, and they could look to the trade market to add another reliever.
Yankees insider Chris Kirschner of The Athletic urged the team to acquire Adrian Morejon from the San Diego Padres.
<p>”The Yankees would strongly benefit if they could import one more option for Boone to use in the back of their bullpen,” Kirschner wrote. “The Padres are listening on trade offers for their top relievers — Estrada, Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon. Miller is the jewel of that group. But the Yankees likely wouldn’t be able to match up on a trade for him. Estrada and Morejon are more realistic, and both would be excellent additions.”
Morejon would be a high-leverage left-handed reliever for the Yankees. He was an All-Star in 2025 and would be a key part of New York’s bullpen.
<p>Last season, Morejon went 13-6 with a 2.08 ERA in 75 games, showing he can be a high-leverage reliever for the Yankees. He’s under contract through the 2026 season.
Yankees Need to Add Another Reliever
New York has had a relatively quiet offseason, which has been a surprise.
<p>Yet, the Yankees remain in contact with some top free agents, like Cody Bellinger, but the team should also be interested in some pitching help. Although the Yankees have Bednar as their closer, Kirschner believes New York needs to add another top reliever.<p>”The Yankees currently have too many question marks in their bullpen to feel confident in this group being notably better in 2026,” Kirschner added. “That’s why adding at least one more quality reliever needs to be a priority for Cashman before the season begins.”<p>With most of the top relievers signed, if the Yankees are going to add a high-leverage reliever, it would have to come through a trade.
Aaron Boone Feels Confident With Bullpen
The Yankees’ bullpen had some issues in 2025, but the team did a good job strengthening it down the stretch.
New York acquired Bednar and Doval at the deadline, and Bednar was a huge part of their bullpen. Although Doval had some struggles, Boone liked where he ended and expects him to have a key role in 2026.
<p>“I really feel good about where he was at the end of the season and into the playoffs,” Boone said earlier this month. “I felt like he had some of his best outings for us at the very end, and into the postseason. He did some things, just in how he gets set and everything, that cleaned him up a little bit and got him just in a better position for the strike throwing.<p>”I know just in talking to our pitching guys, it seems like he’s had a really good, efficient winter in terms of communication and throwing program and getting himself ready to go. I’m really optimistic of what Camilo is going to do for us.”
New York’s lone bullpen addition this offseason was re-signing Paul Blackburn.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Yankees Urged to Make Bold Move to Acquire All-Star Reliever From Padres appeared first on Heavy Sports.