Camilo Doval nails final Yankees trade deadline audition as Pirates rumors buzz

If the only Camilo Doval Moment you'd ever experienced in your life was Sunday night against the Phillies — first of all, congratulations — but second of all, you'd assume that the Yankees' middling middle reliever, banished from all high-leverage opportunities about a month ago was the greatest fireman of all time. The worst part? Nobody who's watched him throw more regularly can entirely shake that feeling, either.

It makes no sense that he's horrendous, that he lights almost every game he touches aflame, that he induces weak contact, walks a batter, then suddenly the contact gets much firmer. It makes no sense that he believes that he's throwing as well now as he ever has, but the results — 96th percentile velocity, 2nd percentile hard-hit — do absolutely nothing to endorse that idea, both on the surface and below the hood.

He's a complete enigma, and he's rotting a spot in the Yankees' bullpen, which could really use some high-velocity swing-and-miss, something he can only get halfway there on. If the Pittsburgh Pirates come calling again — a rumor that surfaced before the weekend — Brian Cashman will have to swallow his pride and acknowledge that, yes, Doval may finally click, and no, he still shouldn't regret trading him for a warm body.

According to insider Joel Sherman, the Pirates had "some interest" in Doval this season. Sunday's outing in Philadelphia, after he was dusted off for the first time in weeks, should've rekindled that interest (if there is a Sports God). Doval carved through Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and JT Realmuto, striking out all three with two men on.

Like George Costanza making an exit on a high note, Aaron Boone got him outta there. It very well could've been his final appearance in the uniform.

Yankees' Camilo Doval trade to Pirates shouldn't hinge on the return

Eat money. Eat day-old bread. Eat slugs. Eat whatever you have to eat to get Doval onto a different roster and to open up a bullpen spot for an upgrade.

He'll remain enticing until the day his MLB career is over, given the flames he throws and the occasional flashes of brilliance. But the Yankees have enough data to know that here, with the way they coach things, it's not going to work. He falls in love with his slider. He can't steer out of the rut.

There's no rhyme or reason to it. There's a good chance the Pirates "win" this forthcoming deal. But that's a "risk" the Yankees will have to take. Here, it's over. But Sunday night was a solid finale. Shame the encore will be elsewhere.

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