3 viable bullpen trade targets for Yankees as brutal deadline field develops

Welcome to the 2026 trade deadline, where every MLB team is 2.5 games out of a playoff spot, there are no lockdown closers available, and everybody needs bullpen help. Thank goodness the Yankees addressed this glaring need during the offseason (oh) and at the '25 trade deadline (OH!).

Trust us when we say it's bleak out here. The Yankees need lockdown, trustworthy 'pen arms, but the search is shaping up to be an expensive fool's errand. You want a closer? How about Aroldis Chapman, who just Yankees'd his way through a horrid ninth inning against the Rockies this week, is no longer touched by the hand of God the way he was last season when he learned command, and demands an apology from the Yanks? No thanks. What about Kenley Jansen? Pete Fairbanks and his cold-weather struggles and 6.00 ERA? Cade Smith on the AL Central-battling Guardians? It's a big, dark pit.

The Yankees might not be able to acquire the closer of their dreams, so it's time to start seeking holds. The picture ain't pretty, but these relief targets might be the best the Yankees can hope for, pending a surprising fall-off from a current contender.

3 bullpen trade targets (don't laugh!) Yankees must pursue in tough-to-navigate trade deadline field

Jason Adam, San Diego Padres

AJ Preller's a madman and the Pads are flirting with .500. With or without Jason Adam, their bullpen will remain a second-half strength. The question here is: What type of crazy sh-t can San Diego obtain in return?

Is this a spot for the Yankees to deploy Clarke Schmidt, who might not be ready at all this year, and will be owed ~$6.5 million in his final year of arbitration next season? That will help give Preller rotation stability (and a possible swingman, in a worst-case scenario) next year while freeing up the Yankees' rotation logjam and helping them fill an additional need. Adam doesn't provide much swing-and-miss, but he sports a 2.54 ERA with one of the game's best changeups and chase-and-whiff metrics that portend better days are on the horizon for him. He's making a pro-rated $6.68 million salary this year and will walk after 2026 if he's not needed.

Given the impending lockout, you might see more MLB players than usual dangled in exchange for one another this deadline. Schmidt is a (sorry!) non-tender candidate for the Yankees if he's not dealt this season. He'll pop up in rumors for sure, and this swap makes sense.

Luke Weaver, New York Mets

I know, I know, I know. Former Yankees typically go to the Steve Cohen Mets to live out their money-making dreams and rarely find their way back home. But New York (NL) is this year's most disappointing bloated mess by far, and would they rather pay Weaver $11 million next year or flip him now and pocket the assets? Would Mr. Yankees Bag be opposed to coming back to the Bronx, riding a 2.25 ERA, 0.875 WHIP, and scoreless streak dating back to April 30? I know I'd take him back, no hesitation. With a dearth of viable closers on the market, at least Weaver has recent exceptional ninth inning experience.

If I was being truly rude here, I'd include another former Yankee in Rico Garcia, who's allowed 14 hits in 32 1/3 innings with the Orioles this season after New York DFA'd him last year. Asset mismanagement at its finest — let someone else unlock him, then trade serious talent in exchange for him instead of figuring him out yourself! But I'm being nice, so I won't say any of that.

Anthony Bender, Miami Marlins

If the Yankees are able to make their high-leverage dreams come true, it'll probably involve the Miami Marlins smartly saying, "We're a few games over .500. We've developed a nice little bullpen. We have a similar chance of attaining the Wild Card with or without INSERT NAME HERE."

Anthony Bender only comes with 1.5 years of control. He's struck out 37 men in 31 2/3 innings pitched with an 0.979 WHIP. He has a solid track record, coming off an excellent 2025 (2.16 ERA, 32 hits in 50 innings). He'd be the most obvious match of value and fit here. You could certainly sway me in a number of different directions. Lake Bachar and his 3.02 mark, though he's controlled through 2030 and the Marlins will ask the moon? John King, if the Yankees want a crafty lefty to pair with a tired Brent Headrick and worn-down Tim Hill (he was once a Yankees target, supposedly in the Joey Gallo trade!)?

The Yankees and Marlins will almost certainly be talking about multiple names after linking up this past offseason in a Ryan Weathers trade that we're honestly surprised didn't include one of these dudes. Bender is probably your best bet.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow