Yankees Rumors: New York exploring the ultimate bullpen reunion ahead of second half

The 2025 New York Yankees are a talented team with a glaring bullpen weakness that has underperformed their peripherals all year because of a few shaky meltdowns. OK, maybe more than a few. It's no wonder they've been compared to the 2017 edition of the club, which ended up with a worse record than it should've had, but entered October with a head of steam powered by a budding young core.

Part of the reason that club was able to turn their talent into poise and performance was a mid-July trade that shook their foundation, bringing in Todd Frazier, Tommy Kahnle, and David Robertson from the White Sox in one fell swoop. Based on Brian Cashman's purported urgency and the team's current playoff positioning, fans have been yearning for a similar multi-piece trade this year to fill a few different trouble spots.

What about starting the process by ... bringing back Robertson?

The 40-year-old reliever has found his way back to the Yankees once already after starting his career in the Bronx. He's been a bit of a hired gun since his second stint ended, but he was excellent in 2024 with the Texas Rangers, posting arguably the most impressive and complete season of his career at an advanced age (99 Ks in 72 innings, 3.00 ERA).

According to the rumor mill, the Yankees have examined signing Robertson recently, and should definitely think long and hard about finishing the deal.

Yankees Rumors: Brian Cashman has looked into reunion with David Robertson

Dealing with Robertson is a bit different than most negotiations, given that he represents himself and clearly didn't find an offer to his liking this offseason. But ... mid-year ... without any first-half wear-and-tear on his arm ... you wouldn't bank on it without a doubt, but you'd feel pretty damned good about his ability to make a meaningful contribution, both on and off the field.

The Yankees need to exit the upcoming trade deadline with two-to-three 'pen arms, a reliable starter after the loss of Clarke Schmidt, and a third baseman, a desperate need akin to finding air to breathe. With a strange seller's market, they're going to have to get creative to finish the plan — and it doesn't get more creative than contacting an old friend, "Roger Clemens in George's Box" style.

According to sources, they'll have to compete with David Stearns and the Mets, who've also looked into Robertson, to get something done. As if they needed more motivation to finish the job. Get it done, then go do some more. 2017 would be a nice postseason to re-live, with the ending changed.