New York Yankees Linked to Flame Throwing Reliever Amid Injuries

The New York Yankees have been linked to a flame throwing reliever amid injuries to their bullpen pieces.

Despite the impressive start for the New York Yankees, losing Jonathan Loaisiga for the rest of the season could be an issue. Loaisiga, when healthy, is one of the better relievers in baseball.

During the 2023 season, the right-hander posted a 3.06 ERA and 0.85 ERA in 17 appearances.

His best season came in 2021, posting a 2.17 ERA in 70 2/3 innings across 57 appearances.

The concerns about the Yankees bullpen are warranted and while they've done the job for most of the early part of the season, adding another arm seems inevitable.

Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report listed 10 teams with needs prior to the deadline, writing that New York needs a late-inning reliever.

Rymer has multiple options for the first-place American League East squad to pursue, including Michael Kopech of the Chicago White Sox.

Kopech, who certainly has a chance to be traded given the expectation for the White Sox to be one of the worst teams in baseball, could be a solid addition to the bullpen.

The former starter is working out of the bullpen this season and has excelled at it in his first seven appearances. Kopech, with an average fastball of nearly 100 MPH, has posted an impressive 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings, striking out 14 hitters.

A former first-round pick, the Yankees would be landing one of the hardest throwers in baseball. There could be worries due to his limited time in the bullpen, but Kopech did work as a reliever in 2021 before returning to the starting rotation in 2022.

With Chicago being 2-14. they could potentially provide New York with Kopech for a trade featuring a prospect or two.