New York — The New York Yankees’ trade relationship with the Colorado Rockies may not be finished after acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon last week. The team is linked to another Colorado reliever beyond Jojo Romero as trade deadline approaches.
According to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, the Yankees have shown interest in Colorado reliever Jake Bird among many other names on the bullpen market, making him a potential third trade target from the struggling franchise.
With bullpen struggles mounting, Bird’s sweeper-heavy arsenal and team-friendly contract make him a compelling option ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
The Yankees already completed one major deal with Colorado on July 25, acquiring McMahon in exchange for pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz. Reports have also linked New York to Rockies reliever Jojo Romero, but Bird has emerged as another intriguing option for a Yankees bullpen desperately seeking help.
Yankees bullpen struggles create urgent need
The Yankees entered the 2025 trade deadline with their bullpen ranking 21st in MLB with a 4.10 ERA, a dramatic decline from their 2024 excellence. The unit has been particularly problematic in July, posting concerning numbers that have exposed the team’s biggest weakness.
The Yankees bullpen gave up 15 runs in the first two games of their series against Philadelphia and entered play with the worst ERA (7.10) and fWAR (-1.2) in July of any American League bullpen. These struggles have made bullpen reinforcement the top priority for General Manager Brian Cashman as the July 31 deadline approaches.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman was transparent about his objectives, stating the team will “prioritize pitching, first in the rotation then in the bullpen with a reliever or two”. The team’s aggressive approach suggests multiple moves are coming.
Bird’s appeal despite recent struggles
Jake Bird’s first three Major League seasons (2022-24) saw the right-hander post a 4.53 ERA, 19.3% strikeout rate, and 9.7% walk rate across 177 innings for the Rockies. However, 2025 marked a significant breakthrough before recent troubles.
Through June 19, Bird posted a 2.16 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and held opposing batters to a .217 average. His transformation included a crucial adjustment that caught the Yankees’ attention.
Adopting the sweeper as his primary pitch seemed to have unlocked both Bird’s strikeout ability, and it has helped his curveball regain its 2023 status as a plus offering. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake is a known proponent of the sweeper, which likely adds to New York’s interest in the Rox reliever.
The technical fit appears strong. Bird now has a 4.05 ERA and 9.1% walk rate in 53 1/3 innings in 2025, but the big difference is a strikeout rate that has leapt up to 26.7%. This represents a dramatic improvement from his career norms.
However, Bird has hit a rough patch recently. Bird has given up 11 runs on 14 hits in his last seven appearances totaling 5.1 innings including a pair of home runs after giving up two in his first 37 games. This downturn may actually work in the Yankees’ favor regarding acquisition cost.
Contract value creates trade appeal
Bird will reach arbitration eligibility for the first time this winter, so he is controlled through the 2028 season. This timeline offers significant value for a Yankees team looking beyond just the 2025 season.
At contract status, Bird is pre-arbitration-eligible, earning $770,000, and becomes free agent following 2028 season. The affordable nature of his deal makes him an attractive target for a Yankees organization mindful of payroll flexibility.
The combination of performance upside and contract control represents exactly what contending teams seek at the trade deadline. At 29 years old and not slated to hit free agency until 2029, Bird represents the type of cost-controlled bullpen arm that playoff hopefuls crave.
Rockies’ willingness to deal
The Rockies are also reportedly open to offers on two other controllable relievers in Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen, as Colorado’s willingness to take a broader approach to the deadline represents a change in direction for the organization.
Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer praised Bird’s confidence, saying “There aren’t many players I’ve run into that have the confidence in themselves that Jake Bird does”. Despite this endorsement, Colorado appears ready to move pieces.
Trading a player like Bird offers an opportunity to restock a farm system that’s ranked 18th by MLB Pipeline. The Rockies’ historically awful 2025 season has forced organizational changes.
The rebuilding Rockies, who are projected to be unusually active in the market, will undoubtedly field calls. Multiple reports suggest Colorado is more open to dealing than in previous years.
Mixed scouting reports
Not everyone views Bird as an ideal Yankees target. Some analysis suggests Bird’s issues aren’t solely due to Coors Field, noting he’s pitched to a 4.60 ERA at home and a 4.20 ERA on the road over his career.
One concern is that Bird allows too many hits, giving up more hits than innings pitched in every season since 2022. This pattern creates questions about his effectiveness in high-leverage situations.
However, advanced metrics suggest recent struggles may be temporary. FIP, xFIP, BABIP, and expected wOBA all paint a picture of a pitcher who has not pitched as poorly as his results during this seven-game stretch might suggest.
Trade framework already established
The Yankees and Rockies have already established a working relationship through the McMahon deal. The framework for successful negotiations between the Yankees and Rockies has already been established with the Ryan McMahon trade, potentially making additional moves easier to complete.
Yankees fans have been linked to several relief prospects, with speculation that New York might be willing to part with prospects like Gage Ziehl or Chase Hampton for bullpen help. The cost for Bird would likely be lower given his recent struggles.
Multiple options on table
The Rockies are under the impression that right-handers Jake Bird, Victor Vodnik and Tyler Kinley are all available via trade. This gives the Yankees multiple options from the same organization.
Bird, who’s controlled three years beyond the current season, and especially Vodnik, who’s controlled for an additional four years, stand as the types of player Colorado wouldn’t even consider moving at prior trade deadlines.
The Yankees’ interest in Bird makes sense given their bullpen construction needs. Adding Bird would give Yankees manager Aaron Boone more depth to utilize for the stretch run. Even if he didn’t develop into a dominant late-inning arm, finding pitchers who can be counted on to reliably get outs would be a tremendous help.
The road ahead
With the trade deadline approaching Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, the Yankees appear positioned to make multiple moves. Bird represents a cost-effective option who could benefit from a change of scenery and the Yankees’ pitching development program.
The 29-year-old reliever’s recent struggles may have actually created an opportunity for New York to acquire a pitcher with upside at a reasonable cost. His sweeper-heavy approach aligns with organizational preferences, while his team control provides value beyond 2025.
Whether the Yankees ultimately pursue Bird, Romero, or both remains to be seen. What’s clear is that their relationship with Colorado has proven fruitful, and more deals between these organizations appear likely before Thursday’s deadline.
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