Yankees insider pitches unexpected trade deadline scenario fans will love

If there's one true trade deadline need for the New York Yankees at this point in time, it's bullpen reinforcements. The unit just isn't strong enough, and the team cannot rely on the injured Scott Effross and Lou Trivino to come back and save them (one of whom is already reportedly behind). The front office needs to be proactive.

Proactive, but careful, that is. Bullpen assets at the trade deadline always come at a premium because pitching depth is the lone constant for teams that make deep playoff runs.

It's unclear who might be available leading up to the July 31 deadline, but those Mason Miller dreams are ... just that. Dreams. The Yankees aren't paying an all-time high price for a closer. They'd rather build around Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver, or acquire someone who's more of a supporting cast member, which would be the better approach based on the pieces they currently have.

That will come into focus as the next few weeks unfold, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Yankees can call up their No. 1 trade partner from this offseason to get going on another roster-altering trade.

The MLB insider identified San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez as a possible target depending on what AJ Preller wants to do with the roster moving forward.

Yankees insider pitches unexpected trade deadline scenario fans will love

It's very possible the Padres are still looking to offload some money, seeing as every single one of their high-cost players is next to untradeable. Though Suarez has been excellent for them in 2024 (0.69 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 17 saves in 26 innings), he's in his age-33 season and is making $10 million a year through 2025 with $8 million player options for 2026 and 2027, which we'd assume he'd excercise given his age. That means he could be under a four-year, $46 million contract at the moment.

That would be an "excess" cost for a Wild Card team (which feels like the Padres' ceiling) and a payroll that features six players making (at least) a combined $144 million through 2027. Not to mention, as Sherman mentioned, the Padres have a strong enough bullpen to figure things out if Suarez departs.

Jeremiah Estrada has been one of the league's biggest surprises in 2024 after being claimed off waivers from the Cubs in the offseason. He has a 0.48 ERA and 0.70 WHIP with 30 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings this season. Former Yankee Wandy Peralta, as well as Adrian Morejon, have done a solid job holding down the fort, too.

Suarez didn't debut until he was 31 years old. He's now experiencing a career year. The Padres could very well view this as an opportunity to sell high after signing Suarez to that big contract in 2022. It wasn't a mistake, but the Padres pulled the trigger quite fast after the right-hander logged just 45 career games. Now, they have a chance to ship that money elsewhere and get cheaper value in return.

As for the Yankees, yes, this would be a risk, given all the factors we just laid out. Suarez could be under contract through his age-36 season, which isn't ideal for a high-leverage reliever. New York would be inheriting more salary to their bloated payroll and would have to surrender young talent (even though the price might be a tad lower if they take on all the money).

But again, this is a World Series-or-bust year, and Suarez's presence alongside Holmes, Weaver and Tommy Kahnle could be what's needed to neutralize the best offenses in the sport at this point in time. And as for a Holmes successor (he's a free agent after this season), that's another future silver lining to look at if we really wanted to.

Sherman brought it up, we just figured we'd state our support.