It was just another summer evening in the Bronx when Aaron Boone turned to his bullpen in the seventh, and groans filled Yankee Stadium before the reliever even hit the mound. The Yankees’ once-dominant relief corps has become a shell of its former self, bleeding games late and forcing a starting rotation already walking a tightrope to stretch thin. That moment, and countless others like it, have made one thing clear: New York’s trade deadline has to be about one thing: dominant, high-leverage relief help.
So when Empire Sports Media reported that the Yankees are “engaged at the top of the reliever market,” it wasn’t just a piece of news; it was a sigh of relief. To be clear. If the Yankees truly aim to compete this October. They need to focus their attention on enhancing the bullpen with top-tier relievers who can immediately impact a playoff game upon entering the field rather than settling for replacements. And they need to move now.
“NYY is looking to reinforce a bullpen that has struggled this season with impact high-leverage arms,” wrote the Fireside Yankees on X.
Sources are telling Empire Sports Media that the Yankees are engaged at the top of the reliever market.
NYY is looking to reinforce a bullpen that has struggled this season with impact high-leverage arms.
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) July 25, 2025
With that in mind, here are five relievers the Yankees simply can’t afford to miss at this year’s trade deadline, ranked not just on talent, but on fit, urgency, and upside.
1. Anthony Bender (Miami Marlins)
2025 ERA: 1.91 | Ground Ball Rate: 50% | Under Team Control Through 2027
Anthony Bender isn’t a household name in the Bronx, yet. But the Marlins righty is putting together a season worthy of national attention. Armed with a heavy sinker and a sharp slider, Bender has neutralized opponents all year while quietly becoming one of the most effective relievers in baseball.
He’s not just dominant, he’s affordable and controllable. With team control through 2027, Bender gives the Yankees a long-term bullpen asset who doesn’t buckle in high-leverage spots. His ability to get ground balls, miss bats, and handle traffic makes him an ideal seventh or eighth-inning weapon.
2. Raisel Iglesias (Atlanta Braves)
ERA: Low 2s | 11 Years of Experience | Pending Free Agent
There’s no substitute for experience, and few relievers in this market bring more of it than Raisel Iglesias. The veteran closer has been dominating games for more than ten years. And continues to outsmart hitters with his composed and precise approach even as he enters his 30s. His pitches are sharp and well defined his demeanor remains collected under pressure.
He may not be as dominant on the mound as he used to be. But Iglesias still holds control with a calm, authoritative presence. Drop him into Aaron Boone’s bullpen tomorrow, and he immediately becomes one of the most trustworthy options available. And with free agency looming, the Braves might be willing to deal for less than you’d expect, especially if they’re looking ahead.
New York doesn’t need a miracle worker. They need someone who’s been in the fire and doesn’t melt. Iglesias fits the bill, cool, seasoned, and ready to get three outs when everything’s on the line.
3. Phil Maton (St. Louis Cardinals)
ERA: 2.48 | Postseason Proven | Reliable Across Splits
Phil Maton doesn’t have triple-digit heat, but what he does have is command, deception, and postseason scars to prove he can handle pressure. The Cardinals veteran is enjoying the best season of his career, and he’s doing it with quiet consistency, not flash.
He’s a specialist in soft contact and can thrive in matchups against both lefties and righties and which align perfectly with Boone’s strategy of leveraging matchups late in games. Maton won’t blow hitters away, but he also won’t let the moment get too big.
He’s the kind of guy who pitches the sixth or seventh inning in Game 3 of a tight playoff series, and locks it down without drama. The Yankees need more of that.
4. Ryan Helsley (St. Louis Cardinals)
99.3 MPH Average Fastball | 2x All-Star | Team Control Through 2025
Now, if the Yankees want firepower, Ryan Helsley is the guy. He’s not just one of the hardest-throwing relievers in the game; he’s one of the most overpowering, period. His fastball sits near 100, his whiff rate is elite, and his chase metrics rank among the league’s best.
Helsley is exactly the kind of pitcher who can flip a playoff game. He’s got closer stuff, setup versatility, and enough adrenaline to handle a sold-out Bronx crowd in October. He won’t come cheap, but he’s not a rental either. He’s under team control through 2025, giving New York an extended window.
If Cashman wants to make a splash, and if he believes Holmes may not be the long-term answer, Helsley is the flamethrower who can anchor a pen for two playoff runs.
5. Gregory Soto (Baltimore Orioles)
Power Lefty | Free Agent After 2025 | High-Leverage Experience
Yes, it’s tricky to trade within the division. Yes, the Orioles might hesitate to help a rival. But if Gregory Soto is available, the Yankees must explore every angle. Why? Because they badly need a power lefty who can keep elite left-handed hitters in check when it counts most.
Soto’s command can be erratic, but his velocity and aggressiveness play. He’s held tough lineups in check before and has the kind of fear factor the Yankees lack from the left side. Think of him as a more controllable, calmer version of Aroldis Chapman in his later years.
If Baltimore sticks to its plan of only selling expiring deals, Soto becomes one of the few left-handed high-leverage options on the market. New York needs that badly.
The cost of waiting
The Yankees have shown their hand. They know the bullpen is broken, and they know patchwork fixes won’t cut it this time. They’re in the market for real weapons, guys who can handle the heat and thrive when the stakes are highest.
They’ve been here before. The difference this time? The stakes feel heavier and the clock ticks louder. The AL East isn’t forgiving. One or two blown saves might not just sting; they could be the cracks that cost them a division title and shove them into a one-game wildcard knife fight.
If Brian Cashman truly means business, and if this front office is done settling for early October exits, these five bullpen names shouldn’t just be on their radar; they should be priority targets. Miss now, and it won’t just be another lost season. It’ll be another slow, gut-wrenching fade built one late-inning collapse at a time.
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