MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees, mark leiter jr. Gregory Fisher-Imagn ImagesGregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Yankees win arbitration case over relief pitcher, saving $500K

Originally posted on Empire Sports Media
By Alexander Wilson | Last updated Feb 1, 2025 5:37 PM ET

The Yankees have secured a small victory in their ongoing roster management, winning their arbitration case against veteran reliever Mark Leiter Jr. Instead of the $2.5 million he sought, Leiter will earn a modest $2.05 million for the 2025 season. In a sport where the margin between success and failure is often measured in inches—or, in this case, dollars—every little bit helps.

A Tale of Two Seasons

Leiter’s 2024 campaign was a tale of two teams. Between the Cubs and the Yankees, he logged 50 innings and posted a 4.50 ERA. But his performance in pinstripes was far from stellar, recording a 4.98 ERA over 21.2 innings. While his strikeout rate was elite at 13.71 K/9, walks, and home runs tarnished his overall contributions.

Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Yet, when the lights were brightest, Leiter showed up. In the postseason, he tightened things up considerably, pitching 5.1 innings with a sparkling 1.69 ERA. It was a timely reminder that, despite his regular-season struggles, Leiter still has the ability to be a difference-maker in high-leverage situations.

Unlocking Leiter’s Potential

Leiter’s high strikeout rate offers a glimpse of his potential to be a shutdown reliever, but his issues with command and the long ball are the warts that keep him from being a reliable option every night. For the Yankees, the key will be refining his mechanics and pitch selection to minimize damage. With a bit of polish from the coaching staff, particularly pitching coach Matt Blake, Leiter could be a bullpen weapon rather than a liability.

The Financial Flexibility Factor

Winning this arbitration case might seem like a small win in the grand scheme of a multimillion-dollar payroll, but it’s emblematic of the Yankees’ broader strategy to maintain financial flexibility while still fielding a competitive team. With every dollar saved, the Yankees gain a bit more room to maneuver as they eye bigger acquisitions or look to shore up other parts of the roster.

In the end, the Yankees get a high-upside bullpen arm at a bargain rate. If Leiter can harness his strikeout abilities and limit his mistakes, the Yankees will walk away with plenty of value to apply.

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

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