The New York Yankees have work to do this offseason. There are areas of interest to address, and one of those is the closer role. After years of struggle in the vulnerable innings, the club needs to consider its next purchase.
Three Free Agent Closers the Yankees Could Pursue this Offseason
Some may say that the Yankees have found their closer. After Devin Williams showed he was unreliable, Brian Cashman took steps to acquire a trusted arm for the role.
The front office went out and traded three of their grassroots talents for right-handed reliever David Bednar. The right-hander is an established closer who previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bednar did show effectiveness as the Yankees’ fill-in closer.
The club still has the right-hander for one more season; therefore, he will be an automatic option for the role. It is still pertinent that the Yankees seek one closer option or set-up option, especially with Williams and Luke Weaver testing free agency.
Can Closer Jordan Romano Do the Job?
Jordan Romano was a long-term project of the Toronto Blue Jays. He was drafted by the Jays in 2014 and developed slowly. The right-hander started his career as a starter and ended up in short relief.
There were on-and-off injury issues with Romano on the Blue Jays that sidelined him and took away reps. He was high-performing in the role in 2022 and 2023, saving 36 games and becoming an all-star in back-to-back years.
In 2024, he finished with a 6.59 ERA in 13 and 2 / 3 innings, leading him into free agency untouched by Toronto. The right-hander signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as the closer, and his struggles continued.
Romano was later moved from the closer role to short relief and finished the season with an 8.23 ERA in 42 and 2 / 3 innings. He repeated another lonely eight saves.
The Canadian closer may be a gamble, but he also may be a cheaper price to work with. If the Yankees take the approach of load management and platooning Bednar and Romano, their bullpen could be unique on the back end.
Romano still throws sharp off-speed with a fastball averaging at 95.5 mph, up to 98-99 mph.
Pete Fairbanks
Fairbanks is an excellent option for the Yankees’ closer role. The Tampa Bay Rays reliever has seven years of Major League service and has had a great showing with the Rays. His 2025 season had him ranked 12th among ESPN’s 30-ranked closers.
Fairbanks threw 60 and 1 / 3 innings with a 4-5 win-loss record and a 2.83 ERA. He saved 27 games for the Rays, with only five blown saves. This gives him an 84.4% save rate, striking out 59 hitters while walking only 18.
Fairbanks has a four-pitch repertoire, led by a 97.3 mph four-seam fastball. He has all the traits for the role and, without a doubt, has worked his entire career in the American League East.
Emilio Pagan
Pagan is one of the most elite arms in the closer world, and one of the most elite on the free agent market. ESPN’s 2025 closers rankings have him fifth among the 30 teams. The right-hander was huge for the Cincinnati Reds’ bullpen.
He threw 68 and 2 / 3 innings, scoring a 2.88 ERA, saving 32 games, and only blowing six saves. Pagan struck out 81 batters, walking 22. He has a three-pitch repertoire with a fastball between 95-97 mph, and all three pitch options have value 20% plus put-away ratings.
Pagan would be a solid candidate for the Yankees’ closer role.
Main Photo Credits: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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