Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake Bird (59) pitches in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Yankees trading for Rockies' Jake Bird would be a mistake

By Aaron Case | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 7:39 PM ET

The New York Yankees still have multiple holes to fill in their roster before MLB’s July 31 trade deadline. One of those holes is in the bullpen, as New York’s 4.38 relief squad ERA is good for the fifth highest in the American League. However, one of the main relievers Yankees GM Brian Cashman is targeting doesn’t appear to be much of an upgrade.

Colorado Rockies RHP Jake Bird is reported to be at or near the top of the Yankees’ bullpen wishlist. A month or so ago, a glance at his stat line made the idea of New York acquiring him seem like a great idea. On June 21, the 29-year-old had a sterling 2.06 ERA. Entering play on Monday, that number has nearly doubled, up to 4.05.

And that’s the type of pitcher Bird is. His career monthly ERA splits indicate he’s a middling reliever who pitches well at the beginning of the season and then tapers off by the end:

April/March: 3.29
May: 2.92
June: 4.46
July: 8.31
August: 3.31
September/October: 5.21

One of the main problems with Bird is that he allows too many hits. He’s given up a few more hits than innings pitched in every season since he broke into the league in 2022, and he’s on pace to do the same in 2025. That’s not ideal for a reliever who often has to come in with runners on base.

Bird’s issues aren’t a result of his notoriously hitter-friendly ballpark in Denver, either. Over his career, he’s pitched to a 4.60 ERA at home and a 4.20 ERA on the road. Also, some of his worst performances this year have come on the road, including a July 8 outing in Boston when he allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and a walk in just a third of an inning.

Maybe the Yankees see Bird as a guy they can help reach his full potential, like Fernando Cruz or Tim Hill, both of whom produced drastic ERA drops immediately upon donning pinstripes. What’s more likely, though, is that they view Bird as a decent player who they’ll have control over for the next three seasons.

That kind of thinking is great for the bottom line. But it won’t bring the World Series trophy back to the Bronx.

Aaron Case

Aaron Case is a die hard Yankees fan from upstate New York who fuels his writing with too much coffee. When he's not riding the emotional roller coaster that is the MLB season, he's probably daydreaming and doodling or making beats. Follow him on X @AarontheCase1

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