The New York Yankees entered Tuesday’s game in top spot in the American League with the third-best record (7-2) and third-highest run differential (+25) in baseball ahead of a three-game series against the Athletics. However, there is a specific part of this Yankees roster that is facing some doubt.
Speaking to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, one MLB scout was candid with his assessment that “the Yankees bullpen stinks” this season.
This is coming after a 7-6 loss to the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, a game in which Max Fried gave up only 3 earned runs in 6.2 innings and had a chance to win. However, those hopes were dashed with the departures of Fernando Cruz and Jake Byrd out of the Yankees bullpen.
New York acquired Cruz in December 2024 in exchange for Jose Trevino. Although he struggled in previous outings, the right-handed reliever led the team in holds (three) this season and still has a 2.70 ERA with a 0.60 WHIP and more strikeouts (six) than baserunners allowed (two) in five appearances.
Bird, whom the team acquired from the Colorado Rockies at the MLB trade deadline last July, has struggled since joining New York. The right-handed reliever made three appearances with the Yankees last season after the trade, giving up 6 earned runs with 4 hits and 2 walks, resulting in a 27.00 ERA. He spent the rest of the season in the minors. After pitching 4.1 shutout innings to open this season, Bird imploded at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
Entering Tuesday’s game, the Yankees bullpen currently ranked 10th in WHIP (1.21), 11th in ERA (3.23), 15th in batting average allowed (.231) and 25th in strikeout rate. However, it is worth noting that the ERA for New York relievers drops to 2.35 if you remove the 3 earned runs earned by Bird against Miami when he failed to record an out.
Through nine games, Bird (6.23 ERA) and Camilo Doval (10.80 ERA and 1.80 WHIP) are the only Yankees relievers with an ERA over 4.2. While All-Star closer David Bednar (4.15 ERA and 2.31 WHIP) has been shaky to start the season, it’s also worth noting that he recorded a 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 10 saves after being acquired by New York last summer. So, while MLB scouts may not be high on the Yankees bullpen, only two relievers are really an issue right now.
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