Yankees continue stockpiling relievers in trade with Giants

The New York Yankees needed to upgrade their bullpen ahead of the July 31 trade deadline at 6 p.m. ET. They did exactly that on Thursday.

The Yankees acquired closer David Bednar from the Pirates earlier in the day, adding another potential option for the ninth innings. Jake Bird was acquired in a second trade with the Rockies. The Yankees then acquired a third reliever just before the deadline as Jack Curry from YES Network reported that the Yankees acquired closer Camilo Doval from the Giants. In return, the Yankees sent a quartet of prospects — catcher/third baseman Jesus Rodriguez, corner infielder Parks Harber and pitchers Trystan Vrieling and Carlos De La Rosa.

Doval and Bednar have an interesting parallel. Both closers had lost their way and were sent down the Triple-A, with Doval appearing in five games for the Sacramento Fisher Cats in 2024. Like Bednar, he was able to return to form and reclaim the ninth inning.

Doval had continued his solid work with the Giants this season. He had posted a 3.09 ERA and a 1.200 WHIP over his 46.2 innings, recording 15 saves with 50 strikeouts and 24 walks. Doval is also under team control through 2027, potentially giving the Yankees a building block in the bullpen.

Vrieling, ranked as the Yankees' 19th-best prospect per MLB.com, has a solid four pitch mix and a knack for high spin rates. His fastball, slider and curve have all flashed plus potential, but his command issues cause his offerings to play down. Vrieling also has a fringy changeup that does not have much separation from his fastball and may be scrapped as he develops.

Rodriguez, the Yankees' 25th-best prospect, is a bit of a contradiction. He is extremely aggressive but has an excellent ability to put the bat on the ball. Rodriguez hits the ball hard and has power to all fields, but his approach makes it difficult for those skills to shine. Defensively, he is a question mark — he does not move well and is not even a passable receiver at catcher, and he does not have the quickness for third base. He is likely to end up at first but will need to improve with the bat for that transition to work.

Neither Harber nor De La Rosa are ranked prospects. Harber has displayed a strong batting eye and contact skills with power potential as he has climbed through the Yankees' farm system. De La Rosa is a left-handed pitcher in the Dominican Summer League who has struck out 36 batters with just five walks in 22 innings.