Yankees: 3 Trade Deadline Mistakes NYY Can’t Afford to Make in 2020

2. Get Tempted by Kirby Yates

Kirby Yates could be a great Yankee — after 2020, though.

This would be the definition of removing your nose to spite your face.

Yes, the team that emerges at the end of 2020 probably had a dominant bullpen in place, but guess what? That team is already the Yankees.

Ignoring the fact that the young and energetic Padres will probably be in the playoff race at the end of this sprint regardless, Kirby Yates has emerged as one of the top five closers in the game. He’s going to illicit a monster bidding war whenever he hits the market, whether it be at the Aug. 31 deadline or in the free agency “frenzy” that’s going to hit during this disaster of an offseason.

If New York tries to supplement their strength (Ottavino, Chapman, Britton, Kahnle, Green…) by adding Yates, they’ll have to give up an arm like Deivi Garcia or Clarke Schmidt, two players who have a much bigger intended role in the Bronx moving forward. Great player, just not worth it.