Yankees Can Strengthen Bullpen By Salvaging These Pitching Options

The frustration continues in the land of the New York Yankees. Their offseason has been less active than they’d wanted. With free agent options off the charts, there are three pitchers that the team could salvage in this market. 

Yankees Can Strengthen Bullpen By Salvaging These Pitching Options

It almost seems like the offseason has been nonexistent for the Yankees. The American League East teams have made some moves that are pretty relevant to their clubs’ improvements. 

The Baltimore Orioles labelled their franchise player, Pete Alonso. The Toronto Blue Jays continue to beef up their roster, with the recent signing of Kazuma Okamoto. 

Unfortunately, the Yankees have not made a splash as of yet. The market is thinning out, and the clock is ticking. With that being said, the club can retain pitchers to fill important relief roles. 

On the market are Max Scherzer, Nestor Cortes, and Ryan Borucki. Although two of these are starting pitchers, their current fate may force them to change roles to secure a job. 

The Yankees May Be At An Advantage to Sign These Two Starting Pitchers 

The name “Max Scherzer” once struck fear into teams and hitters across the league. His caliber was extremely elite, and his career speaks for itself. Hearing the name now draws the label of “over-aged”.

The 41-year-old may be past his “best before” date, but he still offers a very workable pitching profile. Scherzer was a questionable signing for the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2024-2025 offseason, given their situation. 

He battled a thumb injury most of the year. Where his contributions really came through was during the team’s postseason run. The right-hander was focused on his current game, getting swing and misses, along with forcing weak contact. 

He got outs for the team in short bursts. Where could he be used in the Bronx? Definitely in the bullpen, and possibly as a short-inning sixth man in the rotation. Scherzer is one of the few pitchers who would hold solid bullpen value in this market. 

The other pitcher used to pitch for the Yankees as a starter. Nestor Cortes is a free agent, and he’s not getting much interest out there. The Yankees could reunite with the left-handed arm, with use in the bullpen as well. 

Cortes only threw 34 and 1 / 3 innings last season with eight starts. His numbers were not great, as he posted a 6.29 ERA across two teams: the Brewers and the Padres. That being said, starting may not be his thing anymore. 

Cortes could get a one-year deal in the Bronx, strictly as a mid-reliever. 

One Left-Handed Arm On the Market That Could Fill Out the Bullpen

This left-handed pitcher is not the ideal offseason signee that most teams or fanbases would be entirely excited about. Ryan Borucki is an able southpaw who can get the job done in relief. 

The Yankees could consider signing him for the bullpen. He is a low-risk possibility, as his contributions should be low-impact and short-leashed. 

His 2025 performance showed a 4.63 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP in 35 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates. The left-hander can work well with left-handed hitters and is effective in shorter stints. 

Borucki could be a cheap acquisition to eat innings, especially with specified matchups.