Yankees: 3 relievers you probably haven’t heard of NYY should target at trade deadline

1. Josh Staumont

The Yankees should call the Royals about fireballer Josh Staumont.

Royals stud reliever Josh Staumont is a lot like Hernandez, but his strikeout numbers are even more filthy. The right-hander, who’s also in his second year, is currently maintaining a 0.71 ERA (though a 1.42 WHIP) through 14 games in 2020. He’s got 25 strikeouts in 12.1 innings of work … but has 10 walks.

Not that big of a concern, though. He’s 26 years old and has just 30 career games under his belt. This could be a shrewd move for the future since Britton and Ottavino could be out of town after 2021. Perhaps the Yankees can help him add another pitch to his arsenal since he’s only got a fastball (that averages 97 MPH) and a curve (which sits at 82 MPH).

He may frequently find himself getting into jams right now, but he’s constantly pitching in high-leverage situations for the Royals. Tone down his role alongside Green, Ottavino, Britton and Chapman, and we might see his development blossom. Then when the time comes he can be thrown into the fire in the seventh or eight inning when the stakes are high.

The only problem here? Staumont doesn’t become arbitration-eligible until 2023, so the small-market Royals might be hesitant dealing such a talent under club control for a long time. But Cashman can get creative and perhaps offer to eat the rest of Danny Duffy’s contract (he’ll make $15.5 million in 2021 before becoming a free agent) to coax them.

These are without a doubt possibilities. Hopefully one of them pans out for the Bombers.

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