The New York Yankees bullpen needs some reinforcements. With Mark Leiter Jr. on the injured list, the Yankees could target a dominant replacement at the trade deadline.
The Yankees' bullpen was already dealing with an injury to Fernando Cruz. Additionally, their bullpen has been inconsistent at times. Leiter went on the injured list with a stress fracture in his leg.
Leiter had a 4.46 ERA this season, but the Yankees need an arm to cover his innings, and preferably a better one. Sports Illustrated's Matthew Schmidt suggested the Yankees trade for Anthony Bender of the Miami Marlins. The Marlins are poised to be sellers, but Bender will not be cheap.
"Bender is definitely the most enticing name of the bunch, as the 30-year-old boasts a 2.11 ERA while allowing just 24 hits over 38.1 innings of work this season," wrote Schmidt. "He is also under team control through 2027, so he wouldn't just be a two-month rental for the Yankees.
"The 30-year-old will likely be one of the top relievers on the market in the coming weeks, and Miami may wish to create a bidding war for him rather than trading him well before the deadline. However, New York could be desperate to make a move now."
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The Yankees have lost the American League East lead. They are 3 1/2 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays, and just 1 1/2 games from being in third place in the division. There has to be a sense of urgency in the bullpen. Perhaps the Yankees will address the bullpen now and focus on finding a third baseman closer to the trade deadline.