The Yankees are focusing on getting a lefty reliever.
What will be the Yankees’ next move after a hectic offseason? According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic (subscription needed), the team’s top goal right now appears to be getting a left-handed reliever. According to Kuty, New York has talked pitchers Tim Hill, Brooks Raley, and Andrew Chafin.
Hill was an excellent midseason pickup for the Yankees last year. He signed as a free agent on June 20 and has a 2.05 ERA and a 70.8% ground-ball rate in 44 innings. He is entering his 35th season, while Raley will turn 37 this summer. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May, he will most likely be unable to contribute until later in the season. Between 2022 and 2023, he had a 2.74 ERA in 108 1/3 innings with the Rays and Mets. Chafin, an 11-year veteran, has played at least 60 games in each of the last seven non-shortened seasons. He has a 3.42 career ERA over 508 1/3 innings.
Tanner Scott, the top reliever available on the open market, is also left-handed. However, with the Yankees’ expected luxury tax payroll of approximately $303 million, according to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource, which is slightly higher than the highest luxury tax level for the 2025 season, they appear to be looking at more cost-effective arms like as the aforementioned trio. Scott has most recently been linked to the crosstown Mets.
The Yankees might increase their financial flexibility by moving starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, who is owed $18.5 million this season and has a $18 million vesting option for 2026. The Yankees are apparently shopping Stroman. Even if they do locate a match, they may utilize the savings to fill the gap at second base rather than bring in a top-tier reliever.
Leave a Reply