The New York Yankees are struggling with their bullpen issues. This problem began in April when Jonathan Loaisiga’s injury left them without a reliable swing-and-miss option, which they never should have relied upon in the first place.
It continued in June when Clay Holmes, once a dependable closer, began to blow saves at a troubling rate, raising concerns about the team’s postseason prospects. The situation has worsened since the trade deadline when the Yankees attempted to address their bullpen problems with only Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos.
De Los Santos, after allowing seven runs against the Chicago White Sox, was designated for assignment and subsequently claimed by the White Sox. Chicago’s acquisition appears to have been a savvy move.
As for Leiter Jr., his performance since joining the Yankees has been underwhelming. He was thrust into high-pressure situations immediately after the trade and, despite some early successes, has struggled to maintain the form he showed with the Cubs.
Leiter Jr. had recently posted 7 2/3 perfect innings with Chicago, lowering his ERA from 5.34 to 4.21. However, his subsequent performances with the Yankees have led to a 6.48 ERA and 16 hits allowed in just 8 1/3 innings. On the bright side, he’s under contract through 2026, albeit with inconsistent results.
In return, the Yankees sent relief prospect Jack Neely to Chicago, who has since been promoted to the majors. Neely, along with Ben Cowles, was acquired in the trade for Leiter Jr. He has excelled in Triple-A, with 6 2/3 scoreless innings and 13 strikeouts. It seems the Yankees might regret this exchange, given Neely’s impressive performance.
While the Yankees might hope to eventually get the best out of Leiter Jr., he currently resembles the pitcher his numbers suggest, with a tendency to falter under pressure. Neely’s success underscores the potential value of nurturing internal talent rather than relying solely on external fixes.