Yankees' worst trade deadline addition of Aaron Judge era just became available for free

2024 might go down in history as the modern New York Yankees' best shot at a World Series. The American League was weak. They guaranteed themselves one singular year of Juan Soto in the offseason and, despite some injury scares and hiccups, he was performing as advertised. While the team was hardly immune to their typical June Swoon, things seemed to be falling into place as the trade deadline approached.

They acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the weekend before the mid-week deadline. GOOD. That was the type of "go-for-it" move that could've propelled them even further. As the days ticked off ahead of July 30, fans waited with rapt anticipation to see what might be next. Would Chisholm Jr.'s addition lead to Gleyber Torres' exit? How would the Yankees reinforce their rotation and bullpen? What did CashGod have up his sleeve?

The answer? Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos. No starting pitchers. No Jack Flaherty. No Gleyber trade. Just a splitter-happy Cubs setup man with peripherals to die for and a reliever who'd been a gas can in San Diego.

Leiter Jr. scuffled after arriving in a haze, but had some surprisingly big October moments after barely sneaking onto the playoff roster. De Los Santos? He was sacrificed to the baseball gods almost immediately after being acquired; he posted a 14.21 ERA in five outings before being DFA'd and switching clubhouses to the White Sox (after they battered him directly). It will more than likely — hopefully — go down as the least effective acquisition of Brian Cashman's Yankees history.

And now, with the Yankees still persisting in a weakened AL and seeking bullpen reinforcements, De Los Santos was conveniently DFA'd by the Atlanta Braves to make room for new addition Tyler Kinley on Wednesday.

Yankees 2024 trade deadline addition Enyel De Los Santos could return after Braves DFA

Chad Green and De Los Santos reunions and call it a day?!

De Los Santos has performed (gulp) slightly worse in Atlanta this year than he did in San Diego last summer before the Yankees acquired him in exchange for Brandon Lockridge. Last season, he whiffed 48 men in 40 1/3 innings with a 4.46 ERA/5.37 FIP. This year? 4.53 ERA, but a 3.32 FIP (as well as 38 Ks in 43 2/3 innings.

Braves fans haven't enjoyed the experience, but don't say we didn't warn you as the clock continues to tick down.