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New York Yankees trade rumors: Bullpen help on radar for trade deadline

By Kevin Henry

Jun 5, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Pittsburgh shutout Arizona 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Pittsburgh shutout Arizona 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Jon Heyman’s article in The New York Post, the New York Yankees will enter into the MLB trade deadline with the goal of boosting their bullpen.

New York Yankees trade rumors: Look for the team to target relief pitchers at the trade deadline

In Heyman’s article, among the names to be potentially targeted by the New York Yankees at the 2022 MLB trade deadline (which happens on August 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern time), are David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as Michael Fulmer of Detroit Tigers. Additionally, Heyman mentions three other relief pitchers who have former ties to the Yankees in Mark Melancon and Ian Kennedy (both now with the Arizona Diamondbacks) and David Robertson (currently with the Chicago Cubs).

New York’s relievers currently rank third in all of baseball with 1.0 fWAR in 2022. However, questions about Aroldis Chapman’s role as closer and his effectiveness moving forward once he returns from the injured list (expected in late June) is among the reasons why the Yankees are looking to add a boost to the back end of the game.

Bednar is one of the most intriguing names available at this year’s trade deadline as he has logged a 1.33 ERA/1.92 FIP/0.778 WHIP with 10 saves this season for the Pirates. He is also under team control through the 2026 campaign. His effectiveness this season as well as his years of team control moving forward will likely mark his price tag quite high.

He was acquired by the Pirates in the three-team trade involving Joe Musgrove to the San Diego Padres prior to the 2021 campaign. Could he be on the move again less than two seasons later?

Robertson is another interesting possibility, and the Cubs and Yankees were able to work together on a deal for Anthony Rizzo that has worked well in the Bronx. He has been solid for the Cubs after once again finding his form following Tommy John surgery during the 2019 campaign. He is signed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal this season.

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Certainly there will be a number of teams looking for relief help at this trade deadline. Will the Yankees be able to outbid other teams to secure the relievers that could push them back into the Fall Classic for the first time since 2009?

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