Yankees’ bullpen wish list: 10 relievers who fit the mold

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NEW YORK — As the trade deadline approaches, the New York Yankees are shifting their focus to bolstering the bullpen. With the starting rotation relatively stable despite early-season injuries, club executives are eyeing elite and mid-tier relievers around the league who could provide late-inning stability for the playoff push.

The Yankees, positioned firmly in the American League postseason race, have found success in retooling the bullpen midseason in years past. This season, their eyes are once again scanning both proven closers and undervalued arms with upside.

Here’s a look at several relievers across the majors who could fit in the Bronx, along with their 2025 season performance through June 24 and contract details.

Emmanuel Clase — Cleveland Guardians

2025 Stats: 34.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 36 SO

Once among baseball’s most untouchable closers, Emmanuel Clase has taken a step back in 2025 but still throws a cutter that flirts with triple digits. His uptick in hard contact and walks has elevated his WHIP, but he remains a high-leverage weapon.

Under contract through 2026 with two team options for 2027 and 2028, Clase would command a strong return. Cleveland, clinging to AL Central hopes, may be hesitant to move him unless the Yankees offer something big.

He led MLB in saves from 2021 through 2024 and still features a 99-mph cutter with late movement. However, his 2025 campaign has seen a dip in performance, with an increase in hard contact and command issues.

Pete Fairbanks — Tampa Bay Rays

2025 Stats: 30.1 IP, 2.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 26 SO

Fairbanks has bounced back in dominant fashion this season, reclaiming the closer’s role in Tampa Bay. His fastball now cuts more, and his slider has gained sharper bite. With a club option for 2026 and the Rays just a game behind New York in the division, a trade remains unlikely — especially between the Yankees and Rays — but not impossible with the right package.

Fairbanks has a 2.08 ERA with 14 saves and a 1.16 WHIP across 31 appearances. The 6-foot-6 right-hander has added cutting action to his high-velocity fastball and gained sharper depth on his slider.

He is signed through 2025 with a club option for 2026 that could escalate near $10 million. With Tampa Bay retooling and fielding trade inquiries, Fairbanks may be one of the more controllable, high-leverage arms available to the Yankees.

Ryan Helsley — St. Louis Cardinals

2025 Stats: 28.0 IP, 3.54 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 33 SO

Helsley’s command and velocity were affected early by a toe injury but have improved recently. Still, five blown saves and a high WHIP make him a high-risk, high-reward option. A free agent after this season, he’s a classic deadline rental — and one the Cardinals may shop if they slip further in the NL Central.

Helsley, a dominant reliever in 2024, has faced a regression in 2025 following early-season foot issues. His ERA stands at 3.67 with a WHIP of 1.44 and five blown saves. Despite a dip in fastball effectiveness, he remains one of the league’s hardest throwers and continues to generate swings and misses.

Helsley is in a contract year, making him an attractive rental for the Yankees. St. Louis’s standing as fringe contenders may determine his availability, though his upside and past performance will demand a strong return.

Reid Detmers — Los Angeles Angels

2025 Stats: 34.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 44 SO

Transitioning from starter to reliever, Detmers has seen a jump in velocity and strikeout rate. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven outings and has three years of team control remaining. With the Angels sliding in the AL West, Detmers could be a versatile, controllable piece for any contender.

Detmers, once a rotation piece, has transitioned to the bullpen with encouraging results. In relief, he has seen his fastball velocity rise by over a mile per hour, with improved command and sharper secondary offerings.

Some clubs still view Detmers as a potential starter, increasing his value in multi-role scenarios. With the Angels likely selling, he could draw interest from the Yankees seeking a versatile lefty.

Kyle Finnegan — Washington Nationals

2025 Stats: 28.2 IP, 2.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 23 SO

Finnegan has quietly re-established himself as one of the better closers in the National League, racking up 18 saves for a last-place Washington team. With free agency looming, he’s among the most likely relievers to move — and one of the most cost-effective for the Yankees.

He remains a high-strikeout, high-ground-ball pitcher with proven durability and success under pressure. On a one-year, $6 million deal, Finnegan is a classic deadline rental. Washington’s rebuild makes him one of the more accessible high-leverage options on the market.

Chris Martin — Texas Rangers

2025 Stats: 24.1 IP, 2.59 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 28 SO

At 39, Martin remains as efficient as ever. Despite a minor back issue in June, he’s delivered elite command and postseason experience. He’s owed $5.5 million for the remainder of the season. If Texas sells, Martin becomes an instant fit for the Yankees needing poise in October.

Despite a winless record, he continues to limit baserunners and misses bats with exceptional command. A brief injury stint in May raised some durability concerns, but he has been sharp since returning. Martin’s postseason experience and clean delivery make him a fit for playoff contenders in need of veteran presence.

Phil Maton — St. Louis Cardinals

2025 Stats: 30.2 IP, 1.76 ERA, 1.076 WHIP, 41 SO

Maton is a spin-rate darling with the versatility to handle multiple innings. Signed to a one-year, $2 million deal, he’s perhaps the most budget-friendly name on the Yankees’ wish list. The Cardinals’ status as fringe contenders could decide his availability.

Known for his deep pitch mix and spin rate, Maton offers flexibility as a sixth- or seventh-inning option.

Emilio Pagan — Cincinnati Reds

2025 Stats: 34.0 IP, 3.18 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 43 SO

Pagan has anchored the Reds’ bullpen with 18 saves and exceptional command. With a sub-1.00 WHIP and low walk rate, he’s reasserted himself as a late-inning asset. Under contract through 2025, Cincinnati may look to capitalize as they drift in the NL Central.

After rebounding with Minnesota in 2024, he opted into the second year of his two-year, $16 million deal.

While not flashy, Pagan offers late-inning steadiness and low walk rates that the Yankees need.

Shelby Miller — Arizona Diamondbacks

2025 Stats: 32.0 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 35 SO

Miller, on a one-year, $1 million deal, has revived his career in Arizona. The 34-year-old has filled a hybrid setup-closer role with eight saves and shutdown stuff.

Miller has quietly pieced together a strong 2025 and has tallied eight saves in a hybrid closer-setup role. As the Diamondbacks seek to convert his resurgence into prospect capital, making him a low-cost, high-reward addition for a contender like the Yankees.

Steven Matz — St. Louis Cardinals

2025 Stats: 43.2 IP (est.), 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 40 SO

Matz has found success in a multi-inning relief role. A lefty with durability and experience, he could draw interest from teams needing matchup flexibility.

While not overpowering, the left-hander has been consistent and effective in a multi-inning role that the Yankees need.

Matz is owed $12.5 million this year, the final season of a four-year deal. That price tag may limit his market unless St. Louis agrees to eat salary or take back a similar contract. Still, Matz’s ability to face both lefties and righties enhances his appeal in a matchup-dependent postseason environment.

Yankees’ trade outlook

The Yankees’ bullpen, though productive in stretches, has lacked consistency in bridging the gap between starters and closer Clay Holmes. With contenders aggressively scouring the reliever market, New York is expected to pursue multiple bullpen upgrades before the July 30 deadline.

Clase, Helsley and Fairbanks represent premium targets, though each would require a top-tier return. Detmers, Finnegan, and Maton offer middle-relief solutions with varying levels of control and cost. Veterans like Martin, Pagán, and Miller round out the field as proven arms capable of stabilizing high-leverage innings in October.

As the standings shift and teams define their deadlines strategies, the Yankees will be watching closely — ready to act if the right arm becomes available.

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