Yankees linked to Marlins' 3.04 ERA reliever in trade deadline rumor

It's no secret that the New York Yankees need help in the bullpen. 

The Yankees could use the trade deadline to make upgrades, a similar approach they took in 2025. 

Last year, they acquired closer David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird. Bednar was excellent last season, but has had his fair share of struggles thus far this season, with a 1.565 WHIP. 

The Athletic's Brendan Kuty reports that league sources informed him that a right-handed reliever from the Miami Marlins is a name to keep an eye on. 

"A different league source suggested that a popular name at the trade deadline could be Lake Bachar, a righty reliever with the Miami Marlins," Kuty wrote. "Bachar, who turns 31 next week, has a 3.04 ERA and has averaged 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings over 17 games. He isn’t eligible for free agency until 2031." 

Bachar would come with several years of team control. He carries a 28.3% strikeout rate while primarily throwing a four-seam fastball, slider, and sweeper. 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone could utilize Bachar and Ryan Weathers (a potential rotation-to-bullpen candidate) in middle relief. 

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Another way New York could make improvements is by promoting pitchers waiting in the wings in the minor leagues.

Yovanny Cruz got his first taste of the Majors last week, and hard-throwing prospect Carlos Lagrange could work out of the bullpen rather than the rotation. 

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