Yankees linked to $44 million Cardinals reliever as deadline nears

The New York Yankees have been busy over the past few days. They acquired Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies to shore up third base and also landed Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals.

However, they likely aren't done just yet. There are other areas of need on the roster that must be addressed before Thursday evening's trade deadline.

The bullpen is an area that needs some work in the coming days. Beyond Tim Hill, the Yankees do not have any left-handed relievers.

Thomas Gauvain of FanSided proposed the idea of New York trading for St. Louis Cardinals reliever Steven Matz.

"The Yankees currently rank 24th in bullpen HR/FB ratio and 20th in bullpen ERA. Matz would be an improvement in both of those areas. The Yankees' lone left-handed reliever is Tim Hill, so they could use some reinforcements on that end," Gauvain writes.

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Matz is one of three Cardinals relievers on expiring contracts that is likely to be traded. Ryan Helsley and Phil Maton are the others.

The veteran left-hander began his career with the New York Mets, so he has experience pitching in the Big Apple. He is 5-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 28 relief appearances and two starts.

The 34-year-old can be used in a variety of roles, which makes him one of St. Louis' most attractive trade pieces. The Yankees have needs in the bullpen and rotation.

In addition to the lack of a left-handed relief option beyond Hill, New York is without both Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt, both of whom are recovering from Tommy John surgery.

It will be interesting to see what the Yankees decide to do. Pitching is their most obvious need with third base now filled thanks to the McMahon trade.

More MLB: Insider: Yankees 'eyeing' trade for 4.05 ERA reliever