Rays Sign Rumored Yankees Target As New York Misses Out On Another Hurler

Another option is off the board for the New York Yankees. 

The Yankees have been looking for ways to improve the bullpen but the top options are flying off the board left and right. New York was linked to Héctor Neris, Wandy Peralta, Keynan Middleton, and Phil Maton but all have now signed elsewhere.

Maton is the latest to agree to terms on a deal with a different team as the Tampa Bay Rays reportedly swooped in and nabbed him, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

(Right-handed pitcher) Phil Maton is finalizing a deal with the Rays, per source," Feinsand said. "Maton had a 3.00 ERA in 68 appearances for the Astros in 2023."

Maton was one of the top relievers in free agency this offseason and would have made a lot of sense for New York. He logged a 3.00 ERA and 74-to-25 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 66 innings pitched and his advanced metrics were even more impressive.

New York has significantly improved the club this offseason, but the bullpen has taken a serious hit. Peralta and Middleton both were important arms for the Yankees last season and now both will be playing elsewhere in 2024. 

The Yankees now have to go back to the drawing board. There still are some intriguing options out there, but the Yankees need to act quickly if they want to land one. Free agency has started to pick up lately and people are starting to land deals quickly as Spring Training approaches. 

It's unclear what New York will do next, but it's clear it has to do something.