Yankees must consider this trade target to solve their growing Tim Hill problem

Since arriving in the Bronx, Tim Hill has become a New York Yankees fan favorite. The side-winding sinkerballer came in off the scrap heap from the Chicago White Sox, but quickly proved to be a valuable bullpen piece. Since then, the Yankees have re-upped with Hill twice, and the southpaw finally got some recognition on the national stage when he was added to the Team USA roster during this year's World Baseball Classic.

Hill has been one of the game's best lefty specialists over the past couple of years, and comes with a story that makes it hard not to root for him. The 36-year-old was selected in a round that no longer exists in the MLB draft as a 32nd-rounder in 2014 and had quite the battle to make it to the majors. He lost his dad to colon cancer while he was still in high school, and then was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer himself when he was 25. To say that he's a tough dude who perseveres is an understatement.

But now, in 2026, his aging-related regression is becoming a problem within New York's bullpen. Over the first month of the season, he was his typical dominant self, posting a 1.42 ERA over 12 2/3 innings. However, since May 1, Hill owns a 6.17 ERA over 23 1/3 innings. Things are getting worse, not better, with the home run ball being the biggest culprit. The lefty has faced 20 batters and allowed four homers so far in July, after allowing just three homers while facing 128 batters from Opening Day through June 30.

It's these sorts of gaps in the armor we're talking about when we ring the alarm bell about the Yankees' bullpen, despite its league-leading 3.04 ERA. As painful as it might be, replacing Hill in his role as the unit's lefty specialist is necessary, and under-the-radar trade target Daniel Lynch IV of the Kansas City Royals could prove to be the perfect solution.

Royals lefty Daniel Lynch IV could be a more versatile solution to Yankees' Tim Hill problem

The Kansas City Royals are expected to sell off some assets amid a disappointing 2026 campaign, and while they won't be blowing it up entirely, the thought is that they'll take calls on some of their relievers, like Lynch IV.

While the Yankees have two other lefties in the 'pen, Brent Headrick and Ryan Yarbrough, they fill very different roles than Hill. Headrick is the fireman, brought into any situation that may get out of hand. It's a role he's been spectacular in, with a 1.55 ERA over a major league-leading 47 appearances. Even if the Yankees wanted to switch up his role, they really shouldn't. Headrick has some serious reverse splits, with righties hitting just .182 against him versus a .290 batting average against by same-handed hitters.

Yarbrough is just here to eat innings out of the bullpen when necessary. He's a mop-up guy who might seem redundant with Paul Blackburn on the team, but Blackburn's surprisingly good performance could be earning him more high-leverage opportunities.

Lynch IV is having a stellar year, posting a 2.35 ERA over 39 appearances and 38 1/3 innings. He's not quite as ground ball dominant as Hill, but his 50% grounder rate is more than solid, and he brings a different look to the table with a 94.9 mile per hour average fastball velo. He's not a one-hit wonder either, with a 3.06 ERA over 67 2/3 frames last season, and a 3.32 mark in 43 1/3 innings in 2024.

The 29-year-old is death to left-handed hitters, allowing a .136/.197/.182 line against them. The difference between him and Hill, though, is that he can also adequately handle righties, with platoon-advantaged hitters posting a mark of .205/.289/.370 this season.

With a 4.46 FIP in high-leverage situations, he won't have an enormous price tag, but as a matchup lefty who can also counteract pinch-hitting decisions in the middle innings, he'll more than play. On top of that, he comes with team control through 2028, making him a prime Brian Cashman target.

It's sad to say, but Hill has become a liability, and New York seriously needs to consider replacing him. If and when the Yankees come to the conclusion that it's time to move on, Lynch IV is the perfect upgrade.

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