Yankees Reportedly Interested in Rockies Veteran Reliever

Right-handed reliever Jake Bird is reportedly drawing trade interest from the New York Yankees, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Bird, age 29, has been with the Colorado Rockies since 2022.

Yankees Reportedly Interested in Rockies Veteran Reliever

Jake Bird’s Fit in Yankees Bullpen

Per Covers.com, the Yankees are 22nd in the MLB with a 4.28 Bullpen ERA. Righties Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. have both been on the IL since late June/early July and are not expected to return until August at the earliest. Prized offseason addition, RHP Devin Williams, has struggled to the tune of a 4.58 ERA, which is far and away a career worst. However, his underlying numbers, as per Statcast, are still elite, so a turnaround would not be surprising. It will just depend on Williams’ ability to utilize his four-seam fastball effectively. Per Statcast, his -1 fastball run value and 93.9 mph fastball velo both rank in the 35th and 42nd percentile, respectively.

Bird’s ability to effectively pitch multiple innings could be invaluable for the Yankees. The Yankees’ rotation has dealt with its fair share of injuries. RHP Clarke Schmidt underwent Tommy John surgery on July 11 after tearing his UCL, and LHP Ryan Yarbrough and RHP Luis Gil are both currently on the IL. If Bird can be an effective bridge to the Yankees’ solid set-up duo of Tim Hill and Luke Weaver, he could be a great addition to the Yankees’ bullpen. With an injured rotation and an inconsistent bullpen, the Yankees need an effective innings-eater. There are few in the MLB this season that could serve that role better than Bird.

Jake Bird’s Pitch Mix

Bird has had a rough July. In 6 1/3 innings pitched, Bird has posted a 14.21 ERA. Good for the fifth-highest ERA in Major League Baseball among relievers who have pitched at least three innings in July per Statmuse. But beyond the ERA, Bird’s underlying numbers are solid. Bird relies heavily on his sweeper, throwing it 40% of the time. But his curveball has been especially effective as a put-away pitch.

Bird relies on his curveball 23% of the time. Per Statcast, his 7 Breaking run value is in the 90th percentile in the MLB. His 26.7% K rate and 28.1% whiff rate are both in the 79th and 71st percentile, respectively.

Opposing hitters are hitting just .185/.166/.204 against Bird’s curveball. He has thrown his curveball 205 times this season, and it has put away batters at a stellar 28.6% rate. While opposing lineups are hitting .308/.322/.449 against his sinker. The curveball has a run value of 4, compared to the sinker’s -2 run value. While the ineffective use of the sinker has been the cause for some of Bird’s recent struggles, he has still posted a 6.2% barrel rate and has only allowed four home runs this season.

Rubber Arm and Career High in Ks

He is well on pace to blow by his career high of 77 Ks in 89 1/3 IP in 2023. Through 53 1/3 IP this season, Bird has recorded 62 Ks. In doing so, Bird has been one of the most relied-upon relievers in the MLB. Per Fangraphs, Bird’s 53 1/3 IP put him in a three-way tie for fifth most IP. He has 16 outings this season in which he has pitched more than one inning. It is a good sign to see Bird’s rubber arm again after a down 2024. He dealt with right elbow inflammation and a groin strain last season, limiting him to a career-low 40 IP.

The Yankees are likely betting on Bird resembling the pitcher who pitched at an all-star level in April/May once they get him out of Coors Field. In 30 IP over the first two months, Bird posted a 1.89 ERA, allowing just six earned runs and only one home run. It is incredibly hard to keep that pace while pitching at altitude, and his underlying numbers suggest he could be that effective again in the right environment.