June and July have not been kind to the New York Yankees, with the team winning just three out of their last nine series since June 13. The glaring issue that’s been plaguing them? Pitching, particularly their bullpen, which went from one of the best in the Majors to arguably one of the worst in just a few weeks. They’ve lost four arms over the past six weeks, with Mark Leiter Jr and Fernando Cruz being the biggest losses. Ryan Yarbrough, who switched to the rotation in May, is also on the injured list, leaving the team with limited options out of the ‘pen.
Yankees In Desperate Need Of Bullpen
Big Time Blows
While every team deals with a fair amount of pitching injuries, the Yankees have experienced significant losses in both the bullpen and starting rotation, which has forced them to rely on their relievers far more than they would like. With Clarke Schmidt joining Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil on the injured list, New York’s rotation isn’t looking nearly as formidable as it was just a few months ago.
As a result, they’ve allowed the sixth-most runs in all of MLB over the past 30 days. They’ve also scored the fourth-most runs in the league over that span, indicating that pitching is the clear problem. Despite Devin Williams looking like his usual self as of late, the relievers coming into the game before him have not been able to hold leads or limit runs whatsoever. This can’t go on for much longer, otherwise the Yankees will have to watch the AL East slip from their fingers.
Reinforcements
Though the Toronto Blue Jays overtook them for the division lead a few weeks ago, there is help on the way that could tip the odds a bit more in New York’s favor. Last year’s AL Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil, is currently undergoing a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset and should be back in the Bronx within a few weeks. Ryan Yarbrough and Fernando Cruz are also expected to return sometime in August, so the Yankees need to hold on until their key pitchers are fully recovered.
However, they need reinforcements right now, not in a couple of weeks. Even with a fully healthy bullpen, there are a few places that need help if they want to truly compete for the division and make it back to the Fall Classic. With the trade deadline approaching in less than two weeks, several names have been mentioned as potential trade targets.
External Help
According to a report from Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Yankees may pursue 40-year-old David Robertson, who has remained a free agent throughout this season. This would be the right-hander’s third stint with the Yankees, and first since 2018. Last year with the Texas Rangers, Robertson tossed 72 innings with a 3.00 ERA with 99 strikeouts to just 27 walks. There is no indication that he is slowing down despite his age, and the Yankees could use a long-time veteran who is still very effective.
There is also Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, who is having a solid season after leading the Majors in saves last season. ESPN’s Jeff Passan claims that St. Louis has a “30% chance” of trading the reliever, and that the Yankees, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies, are among the best fits for him.
Another name who has a high chance of being moved is Jhoan Duran of the Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old has been dominant in Minnesota, racking up 49 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings to go along with 15 saves and a 1.66 ERA. Jon Heyman of the New York Post named him, along with Helsley, Cade Smith, Emmanuel Clase, David Bednar, and Shelby Miller, as candidates for the Yankees to target.
The Bottom Line
There is no doubt about it: this Yankees team needs help in the bullpen, and they should not wait for some of their pitchers to get healthy to save them. They should be among one of the more active teams at the deadline as they look for arms who can help them stop their mid-summer skid.
Main Photo Credits: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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