The Yankees are approaching the 2024 MLB trade deadline with a plethora of roster and pitching rotation openings. They’ve been linked to stars at all levels, from slugger Pete Alonso to ace pitcher Garrett Crochet, and it’s unclear whether the Yankees can make a trade for players of that caliber.
The Yankees are almost certain to add to their bullpen, which has been excellent statistically but still feels like it needs another arm or two to aid in high-pressure situations.
One player they’re reportedly interested in dealing for is Blue Jays reliever Chad Green, who worked with the Yankees from 2016 to 2022 before signing a three-year, $23.3 million contract with Toronto.
Chad Green Had Tommy John Surgery in 2022
MLB.com’s Jon Morosi tweeted on Tuesday morning about the prospect of a Green-to-Yankees trade:
“The Yankees are interested in reuniting with Chad Green, which makes sense on several levels: he’s enjoying a great season in Toronto. He can close or throw early leverage situations. He was a popular teammate in New York. He’s signed through 2025.”
Green is currently having an exceptional season for the Blue Jays, with a 1.88 ERA after 28 games. He missed a month and a half in April and May due to a shoulder issue, but he remains efficient as a late-inning reliever this season. He has allowed only four runs in 21 games after returning from injury.
Green left the Yankees with an elbow issue that necessitated Tommy John surgery, and since his comeback, he has not been the high-strikeout pitcher he was before surgery.
He averaged 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings with the Yankees over seven years, but only 8.9 after surgery. This year, he has 24 strikeouts in 28.2 innings pitched.
Yankees Trade Deadline Sure to Add Relief Help
Green became a favorite of manager Aaron Boone because of his versatility while with the Yankees, when he served as a closer, late-inning reliever, and even a short-inning starter—an “opener”—in tight situations.
The Yankees’ bullpen is currently the sixth-best in baseball, with a relief ERA of 3.49. The relief pitchers have allowed a.220 batting average, which is also sixth, and a 1.21 WHIP, which is eighth. Plenty of teams would gladly take the Yankees’ bullpen production, but injuries and a lack of depth remain worries.
Over the weekend, the Yankees demoted two relievers, Josh Maciejewski and Cody Morris, and are undoubtedly looking for more options.
The Yankees want another big arm to combine with closer Clay Holmes, who might move to a setup position depending on who the Yankees sign.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees appear to prioritize their bullpen.In addition to Marlins shutdown reliever Tanner Scott, the Yankees are rumored to covet White Sox reliever-turned starter Garrett Crochet, who leads the AL with 103 strikeouts but has an innings concern (he’s already pitched 21 ¹/₃ more innings than ever before).
