New York Yankees hat (Image Credits: Imagn)

MLB Rumors: New York Yankees Reportedly Targeting Two Cardinals Players

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated May 18, 2026 12:18 PM ET

The New York Yankees were the standard-bearers for the American League over the first month of the season. But the Yankees lost the top spot in the AL East after sputtering over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals are one of the surprise packages in the National League this year. The Cardinals are seemingly a genuine playoff contender this year.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the New York Yankees are monitoring a couple of relief pitchers from the St. Louis Cardinals for potential trade deals in the near future. The Yankees apparently are looking at Cardinals left-hander JoJo Romero and closer Riley O’Brien to bolster their struggling bullpen.

“While the St. Louis Cardinals’ surprising success may thwart plans for selling at the trade deadline, teams still are keeping a close eye on closer Riley O’Brien and pitchers JoJo Romero and Dustin May,“ Nightengale reported.

Trade deadline updates, per @BNightengale:

• Rival executives say Antonio Senzatela will be "one of the hottest commodities" at deadline
• Matt Shaw could be trade candidate as Cubs search for a front-line starter
• Teams are "keeping a close eye on" Riley O’Brien, JoJo… pic.twitter.com/3o3qJVkBqN
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) May 17, 2026

Romero has a 3.22 ERA from 22.1 innings with 19 strikeouts and a 1.202 WHIP. On the other hand, O’Brien has 13 saves to his name along with a 2.45 ERA, a 0.909 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts.

Yankees Looking For Setup Man In Bullpen

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report also believes the New York Yankees will add some high-leverage arms to their bullpen before the trade deadline. Miller says the Yankees will acquire a setup man to help David Bednar in the closer role.

David Bednar (Image Credits: Imagn)

“The bullpen, however, has been a bit messier, specifically two of the relievers the Yankees traded for last summer, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird. David Bednar has been solid enough at closer, but they would greatly benefit from a “set-up man who can close on occasion,” like the good old days of Dellin Betances passing the baton to Andrew Miller and/or Aroldis Chapman,” he wrote.

Bednar already has 10 saves for New York this year. However, he has a 4.95 ERA with a 1.550 WHIP. Meanwhile, only three Yankees relievers have an ERA under 3.50 at the moment.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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