Yankees Relief Search Begins With Intriguing Sextet

It’s the worst-kept secret in baseball. The Yankees need pitching help. Essentially, they should be in on every above-average pitcher who could become available as the July 31st Trade Deadline approaches. 

For now, let’s focus on relief help. According to industry insiders, these six relievers are the top arms who might hit the market, depending on how their respective teams perform over the next two weeks. 

The names of these relievers are: Aroldis Chapman (Boston), David Bednar (Pittsburgh), Félix Bautista (Baltimore), Mason Miller (Athletics), Ryan Helsley (St. Louis) and Emmanuel Clase (Cleveland). 

Yankees fans are plenty familiar with Chapman after he spent six and a half years with the team. Probably too familiar. While the fans don’t run the Front Office, it's likely that GM Brian Cashman and his lieutenants share a similar aversion to a Chapman reunion. Besides, even though New York and Boston have made more trades in the last decade than they had in the previous century, it’s still Yankees-Red Sox, so a trade involving Chapman going back to New York isn’t likely. 

Bednar is an interesting arm, but also an inconsistent one. The 30-year-old has been much better since returning from his stint in the minors, but is still prone to the occasional bout of wildness. However, the Bombers would love his strikeout ability (12.9 K/9). 

Bautista and Miller are likely out of New York’s range due to the amount of assets they would have to give up to acquire either. Plus, Baltimore is a division rival and won’t be keen on helping out the Yankees. 

Helsley has been pretty decent, but comes with similar flaws to Bednar, so the interest should be there. He just might not be the answer. 

Lastly, Clase is somebody the Yankees are very familiar with after facing him in last year’s postseason. New York didn’t seem intimidated by the once-feared closer and this season, his aura has taken a further hit due to some slight regression in his performance. 

All in all, the Bombers should check in on these six and, if they’re lucky, they may be able to pry one – hopefully two – from their current team.