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Yankees Must Pursue Reunion With $7.4 Million Reliever Ahead of Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 2:33 PM ET

Lost amid the New York Yankees' recent offensive woes is that their pitching staff hasn't exactly performed too well, either.

Friday's 6-5 loss to the crosstown marked yet another bullpen meltdown and the fifth time in seven games that Yankees pitchers allowed at least six runs. Luke Weaver and Devin Williams each blew leads in recent days, which is a significant reason why the Yankees now sit two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays.

As the Yankees potentially inch closer to panic mode, it might be time to call the Pittsburgh Pirates about a familiar face.

Yankees fans watched Dennis Santana struggle last spring, posting a 6.26 ERA and allowing 10 walks over 27 1/3 innings with the Yankees. However, he's since resurrected his career in Pittsburgh, and he makes perfect sense for the free-falling Yankees.

Santana owns a 1.46 ERA and a 28-7 K-BB ratio across 37 innings for the last-place Pirates, who claimed Santana off waivers last June. He's added four saves and only allowed a single home run.

This isn't necessarily a fluke season, either. Santana posted a 2.44 ERA and a 50-11 K-BB ratio in 44 1/3 innings with the Pirates last summer, and he's seemingly left his control issues behind.

Santana doesn't turn 30 until next April and still has a year of team control. It's too bad, then, that he won't be able to match his $7.4 million career earnings with a massive free agent deal this offseason.

Dennis Santana, Nasty 89mph Changeup. pic.twitter.com/cru6HwYpsm
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 17, 2025

As it stands, though, the Yankees shouldn't need to give up too much to bring Santana home. However, he likely won't come extremely cheap, either.

We suggest the Yankees move quickly, though. Reports emerged earlier this week that the Philadelphia Pirates are interested in Santana and Pirates closer David Bednar.

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

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