Yankees blockbuster trade pitch lands All-Star closer from AL East rival

Jokes about losing to the Colorado Rockies aside, the New York Yankees have emerged as the top dogs in the American League East.

After opening up a five-game lead on the rest of the division this week, the Yankees have some breathing room, and as is pretty much always the case, they'll be buying at the trade deadline. What should they be targeting, though?

The obvious answers are starting pitching and a third baseman, but every team looks for bullpen help ahead of that Jul. 31 deadline. The Yankees have practically trademarked strong bullpens these last several years, and one more dominant arm could cement them as a lockdown bunch.

Could New York snag a former All-Star closer from an AL East foe? That's what one Yankees analyst theorized.

In a recent YouTube video, Derek Levandowski of Pinstripe Territory named Baltimore Orioles closer Félix Bautista as a top trade deadline target for the Yankees, even if they have to pay a slight premium for a division rival.

"It shocks me what has happened to the Orioles," Levandowski said. "I thought, going into last year, that they were going to be the primary contenders, the favorites, probably, to win the division. They didn't win it, and this year, it looks like they're going to be in dead last.

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"I think even if you have to pay a little bit of a premium in-division, I think (Bautista) is someone you have to go out and get."

Bautista, 29, is off to a bit of a shaky start this season with 11 walks in just 14 2/3 innings, resulting in an ERA of 4.30. But he's still rounding back into form after Tommy John surgery. Two years ago, he had a 1.48 ERA and 110 punchouts in only 61 innings.

With a $1 million salary this season and arbitration control through 2027, Bautista would be an exceptionally valuable trade piece for Baltimore. The Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman would have to be prepared to give up some big-time prospects here.

More MLB: Blue Jays intriguing trade pitch lands 15-save All-Star closer from NL East