The New York Yankees are teetering on the edge of a crisis. Despite a star-studded lineup featuring Aaron Judge’s jaw-dropping season, Cody Bellinger’s electric contributions, and Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s dynamic play, the Bronx Bombers are grappling with a glaring weakness: their bullpen. While the starting rotation, led by the reliable duo of Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, has held its own, the team’s role players—particularly in the relief corps—are threatening to derail their postseason aspirations.
At the heart of the Yankees’ bullpen woes is reliever Mark Leiter Jr., a $2 million gamble that’s rapidly losing its shine. Once heralded for his high-strikeout potential, Leiter has become a symbol of the team’s struggles in the late innings. Yardbarker’s Jacob Mountz recently sounded the alarm, urging the Yankees to consider cutting ties with the struggling right-hander before his performance drags the team further down the American League standings.
“Leiter is at the forefront of the Yankees’ bullpen problems,” Mountz wrote. “Last season, the Yankees took a bet on his high strikeout potential. However, this aspect of his game has not led to the success of the team.” With a 4.46 ERA across 34.1 innings this season and 46 strikeouts, Leiter’s numbers are eerily similar to his 4.50 ERA in 2024. The strikeouts are there, but the results are not. Mountz argues that if the Yankees can’t harness Leiter’s raw talent, they should explore trading him in a package to address more pressing needs.
The idea of moving Leiter isn’t far-fetched. While his performance has been inconsistent, he’s not entirely unpitchable, making him a potential asset in a buyer-to-buyer trade. The Yankees could package him to acquire a much-needed starting pitcher or a versatile infielder to bolster their roster for the stretch run. Such a move could breathe new life into a team desperate to maintain its postseason trajectory.
However, cutting Leiter outright might be premature. His struggles, while concerning, haven’t reached a point of no return. The Yankees’ bullpen is thin, and unless they can secure multiple relief arms or swing a trade involving Leiter, his spot in the pen seems secure—for now. If his performance continues to falter, though, the front office may have no choice but to make a tough call.
As the season barrels toward its critical final months, the Yankees face a pivotal moment. Will they double down on their $2 million investment in Leiter, hoping he rediscovers his form? Or will they pull the plug, trading him to spark a roster shake-up? One thing is certain: without change, the Bronx Bombers risk watching their postseason dreams crumble under the weight of a faltering bullpen.