Yankees focus on bullpen trade after infield upgrade: 4 relievers in play

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees bolstered their infield with back-to-back trades last week – acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon from Colorado and infielder Amed Rosario from Washington – and now their attention has turned squarely to pitching.

With the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching, the Yankees are prioritizing bullpen help to fortify a relief corps that has been shaky at times. It’s been called “the worst-kept secret in baseball” that New York needs pitching reinforcements. The Yankees’ bullpen ERA sits above 4.00 (4.14) with 10 blown saves, ranking in the bottom half of MLB.

“While a right-handed hitting infielder is a priority, New York is also looking for help in the rotation and bullpen,” The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner reported.

The recent trades for McMahon and Rosario filled the infield gap, and now the front office’s focus has shifted to arms. Yankees relievers have converted just 25 of 35 save opportunities and posted a middling ERA, underscoring the need for late-game help. With New York in a tight playoff race, Cashman appears ready to pull the trigger on adding bullpen talent. Here are four names in the rumor mill for the Yankees:

Ryan Helsley: Cardinals closer could fill Yankees’ ninth inning

Ryan Helsley, the St. Louis Cardinals’ closer, 31, is a power-armed right-hander who saved a franchise-record 49 games last season and earned All-Star honors. He hasn’t been quite as dominant in 2025 (his strikeout rate has dipped from 29.7% to 24.8%), but he’s still 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 21 saves this year. Helsley battled a minor early-season injury that affected his mechanics, yet he has converted 19 of 24 save chances for St. Louis. On June 28, he notched the 100th save of his career, a milestone that underscores his experience.

In a good news for the Yankees, Helsley admitted that as a closer on a sub-.500 team, he’s “likely to be dealt elsewhere before the trade deadline”.

For the Yankees, Helsley would bring a proven ninth-inning presence. His pedigree could help stabilize the back end. New York is among the clubs that could benefit from a closer of Helsley’s caliber, MLB.com noted, given their late-inning woes. Adding Helsley would give Yankees manager Aaron Boone a battle-tested closer with high-90s velocity and an elite slider.

Helsley is earning $8.2 million this season on a one-year arbitration deal and will be a free agent after 2025, essentially a rental for a contender. That status could keep his trade cost for the Yankees moderate – likely a package of mid-tier prospects – compared to controllable arms.

Helsley is a prime candidate to move, and the Yankees have him squarely on their radar as a bullpen upgrade.

Andrew Chafin: Veteran lefty specialist for matchup relief

The Yankees seek a left-handed reliever, and veteran Andrew Chafin fits the bill. The 35-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals in May and has been quietly effective. Chafin carries a 2.45 ERA over 24 appearances this season, with 17 strikeouts in 18⅓ innings.

A seasoned bullpen arm, Chafin has 11 MLB seasons under his belt and a solid 3.42 career ERA across 600+ games. He has been one of baseball’s most durable relievers – since 2017, Chafin leads the majors with 500 appearances out of the bullpen.

Chafin’s contract is modest (a 1-year, $1 million deal), and with Washington well out of contention, he’s likely available for the Yankees. In fact, the Nationals are “buried in the standings” and expected to aggressively sell veterans not in their long-term plans. Closer Kyle Finnegan is Washington’s top bullpen trade chip, but the Nats will “see what they can get” for others like Chafin as well. That suggests Chafin could be acquired by the Yankees for a relatively low price – perhaps a lower-level prospect.

For the Yankees, picking up Chafin would be a low-risk, situational upgrade. He’s held opponents to a .211 average this year and can be trusted in high-leverage spots versus left-handed sluggers. As a bonus, Chafin has postseason experience from his years with Arizona and Chicago. If New York wants an affordable veteran rental to deepen the bullpen, Chafin is one of the more likely and straightforward options.

Mason Miller: A’s emerging All-Star closer (tough trade bet)

A more ambitious Yankees target is Mason Miller, the Athletics’ young closer. Miller, 26, took the league by storm in 2024 as a rookie and was named an All-Star. Now in his first full season as closer, the right-hander boasts an electric arsenal, including a triple-digit fastball, and has racked up 20 saves with a 3.86 ERA in 37 games so far in 2025. He’s punched out 58 batters in 37⅓ innings, showing dominant strikeout stuff and a 1.04 WHIP. Miller’s performance has been a rare bright spot for the last-place A’s.

Naturally, his combination of youth, team control, and talent makes him a coveted trade piece – and one Athletics’ is extremely reluctant to move. Miller is under club control through 2029.

If the Bronx Bombers decided to swing big and invest in a long-term closing solution, Miller would be the kind of high-ceiling arm to target.

David Bednar: Pirates’ All-Star reliever an immediate boost

David Bednar, 29, is a two-time All-Star and has been among the National League’s better closers over the past few seasons. After a brief stumble out of the gates this year (which led to a short demotion in April), Bednar has returned to dominant form. Since being recalled on April 19, he is 14-for-14 in save opportunities with a sparkling 1.59 ERA over 36 outings. In that span, he’s struck out one-third of the batters he’s faced, a 33.8% strikeout rate that ranks in the 95th percentile of MLB. Overall on the season, Bednar’s ERA sits around 2.25 with 16 saves in 40 appearances, and he has converted 16 straight save chances without a miss.

At 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, the burly right-hander attacks hitters with a high-90s fastball and sharp curve, the kind of power closer profile that plays in any ballpark.

He will reach free agency after 2026, giving any acquiring team an extra year of control beyond this one. That team control boosts his trade value – and the Pirates may ask for a significant package, potentially including one of the Yankees’ top prospects.

Yankees’ deadline outlook

With just days left before the July 31 deadline, the Yankees are expected to be active in the relief market. It’s possible New York could add more than one arm if deals fall into place – one scenario could be acquiring a proven closer like Bednar or Helsley along with a left-hander like Chafin for depth.

The Yankees’ front office has conveyed that they are “not close to done adding” after the infield trades, a clear signal that more moves are coming.

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