It hasn't come into play all that much this week, but the New York Yankees' bullpen isn't what it once was.
Yankees relievers have a 3.83 ERA, which ranks 15th of the 30 Major League Baseball clubs. And since dominant closer Luke Weaver went on the injured list, many of the team's other relievers have been throwing a ton of innings.
Fortunately, next month brings the trade deadline, when the Yankees can revamp their bullpen with a big addition or two. And one baseball writer believes New York can snag a righty having an All-Star worthy season,
On Thursday, Peyton Crowder urged the Yankees to trade for Colorado Rockies star Jake Bird, who has come out of nowhere to be one of MLB's most dominant relievers this season, even on a putrid team.
"(Bird's) ERA currently sits at a ridiculous (1.41) through (28) games and (38.1) innings. His strikeout numbers have also surged, as he has fanned (50) batters thus far. Pretty ridiculous turnaround for a guy whose ERA was sitting around 4.50 for his first three seasons in the majors," Crowder wrote.
"If he continues this dominance in the time leading up the deadline, many contenders are sure to be calling up the Rockies about Jake Bird. The Yankees will hopefully be among them, as they could use another pitcher with high-strikeout rates."
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One can never say with certainty whether a pitcher's success with one team will translate elsewhere, but Bird having success with his slider while pitching in Colorado is a great sign.
He's in the 100th percentile of breaking ball run value, and breaking balls all have more movement at sea level than they do at 5,000 feet of elevation.
Of course, lots of teams outside of the Yankees will be interested in Bird next month. But the Yankees are good at getting the players they want, so don't be surprised if that's what happens here.
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