New York Post reporter Jon Heyman reports that the New York Yankees are interested in Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Andrew Heaney. This is the latest rumor among many that have the Yankees interested in acquiring starting pitching for the stretch run.
Yankees Interested in Andrew Heaney
The left-hander Heaney, 34, is 5-9 with a 4.79 ERA and 1.271 WHIP in 21 games, including 20 starts. Last February, the Pirates signed the veteran free agent to a one-year, $5.25 million contract. After 10 starts, Heaney looked like the steal of the year. He was 3-3 with a 2.91 ERA, although his 4.04 FIP indicated that he may have been the beneficiary of good support and good luck. Since then, he’s 2-6 with a 6.84 ERA. He’s failed to reach the fifth inning in five of his last seven starts. However, in his most recent start on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park, he pitched five shutout innings, giving up just two hits and a hit batter. It was likely his final Pirates start.
The #Yankees are interested in #Pirates LHP Andrew Heaney, per @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/a6aSy2fAqA
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) July 29, 2025
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There is some thought that Heaney’s recent performances may have hurt his trade value. This writer isn’t so sure. Heaney’s stats for the year are in line with his career marks. Going into this season, Heaney was 51-62 with a 4.45 ERA and 1.265 WHIP in 11 seasons with five teams. Any team acquiring the veteran should be well aware of what they’re getting. He’s a back-of-the-rotation starter who will give you some good games, some less so.
Deal Would Represent a Homecoming of Sorts
Those 11 seasons included two months with the Yankees in 2021 after they acquired Heaney at the trade deadline. Heaney was 2-2 with a gaudy 7.32 ERA and 1.346 WHIP for those Yankees. Given his career numbers and performance for the Bronx Bombers in 2021, Heaney may not be the sexiest acquisition from the standpoint of one of the most demanding fan bases in sports.
Yet the Yankees are desperate for starters, with seven pitchers on the injured list and finding themselves in unfamiliar territory, in second place in the American League East Division, looking up at the Toronto Blue Jays. The most notable denizens of the IL are 2023 Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole and last year’s AL Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil. The Yankees were previously linked to another Pirates starter, Mitch Keller, and more recently, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May.
Heaney is Certain to be Traded
On the positive side for the Yankees, Heaney is unlikely to cost them dearly. Heaney is one of several Pirates on an expiring contract who are certain to be traded at the deadline. The last-place Pirates, so far out of the postseason race that they need a telescope and a compass to see a playoff spot, will be anxious to get Heaney’s salary off the books while paving the way for one of their pitching prospects projected to arrive this season. Heaney’s spot could go to Tom Harrington, the Pirates’ No. 5 prospect, who recently has outperformed their No. 3 prospect, Bubba Chandler. Or it could go to rookie Braxton Ashcraft, who has pitched well for the Pirates in a bulk relief role. One thing’s for sure: The Pirates’ roster will look markedly different by the end of the week.
Main Photo Credit: © Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
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