The New York Yankees have completed another trade for a relief pitcher, this time from the Colorado Rockies.
The Yankees have acquired reliever Jake Bird from the Rockies in exchange for second baseman Roc Riggio (formerly Yankees No. 10) and left-hander Ben Shields (formerly Yankees No. 28), per Jack Curry.
Another bullpen move for the Yankees. This was the Yankees’ top priority coming into the trade deadline and they have done a great job addressing their need.
New York’s bullpen has been shaky, but after adding Bird and David Bednar, this team looks destined for a deep playoff run.
Bird, 29, has had a solid season pitching in Colorado. He is 4-1 with a 4.73 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP in 45 appearances this season.
Bird will step into a middle-relief role in the Bronx. New York’s 4.24 bullpen ERA ranks 21st in Major League Baseball.
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Riggio, 23, has been compared to Dustin Pedroia and is a nice acquisition for the Rockies. Across three minor league levels, Riggio have 18 home runs and 45 RBI while slashing .264/.370/.567 in 62 games this season.
Shields, 26, has a very good curveball and has had a great season across four levels in the minors. The lefty is 1-2 with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in nine starts.
The Yankees are going all-in and won’t be done making moves with just over 90 minutes to go before the trade deadline.
More MLB: Yankees acquire 2-time All-Star closer David Bednar in trade with Pirates