The New York Yankees made significant changes to their bullpen at the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, acquiring relievers David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies, and Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants. These moves come as the team looks to address recent struggles in relief pitching and bolster its chances for another American League title.
General manager Brian Cashman described the day’s activity as a success. “I know we’re better,” Cashman said. “Just keeping it simple, we are better today than we were yesterday. So, mission accomplished there.”
Manager Aaron Boone noted that closing out games has been challenging due to injuries over the past month and a half. “The reality is, we have a number of guys that are more than capable of getting the final three outs,” Boone said. “Shortening the game has been a little bit of a challenge for us over the last month and a half, with some of the injuries we’ve had. I know we’ve got some high-powered guys now.”
Devin Williams will remain in his role as closer, with Bednar, Bird, and Doval supporting him in late-inning situations. Bednar and Bird are expected to join the Yankees on Friday in Miami; Doval was already in New York.
“We definitely got better today,” Williams said. “I know they’ll fit right into this clubhouse, and I’m excited to get to work with those guys.”
As part of these trades:
– The Yankees received David Bednar from Pittsburgh in exchange for prospects Rafael Flores (No. 8), Edgleen Perez (No. 14), and outfielder Brian Sanchez.
– Jake Bird came from Colorado for Roc Riggio (No. 10) and Ben Shields (No. 28).
– Camilo Doval was acquired from San Francisco for Trystan Vrieling (No. 19), Jesus Rodriguez (No. 25), Carlos De La Rosa, and Parks Harber.
In related roster moves, right-handers Yerry De Los Santos and Ian Hamilton were optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Cashman explained that while not all trade targets could be secured—such as starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara—the team held onto key young players like Jasson Domínguez, George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, Ben Rice, and Cam Schlittler.
“Some guys are more touchable than others, as I’ve said before,” Cashman stated. “There’s a lot of guys that we like, and unfortunately, we parted with guys that we like. That’s just the nature of the beast.”
Bednar has excelled since April with all 17 save opportunities converted and a 1.70 ERA across 39 appearances this season. Boone commented on Bednar: “I’ve been pounding the table a little bit for a while now with him.”
Doval brings experience as an All-Star who tied for National League saves lead in 2023 but struggled last year before rebounding this season with improved performance.
“He throws 100 miles an hour,” Williams remarked about Doval. “What else do you need to see?”
Bird offers versatility out of the bullpen with notable home/road splits this year; he remains under team control along with Bednar and Doval through at least 2026.
Rockies GM Bill Schmidt said about Bird: “He’d give you three, four innings if he had to… One thing about Jake was, he was never afraid to take the ball.”
All three pitchers add depth beyond this season as current relievers Williams and Luke Weaver approach free agency after next year.
“That’s definitely a benefit,” Cashman added regarding contract status of new acquisitions. “But we had conversations [about] rental relievers too, not just controlled relievers.”
Boone also highlighted upcoming internal reinforcements such as Luis Gil—last year’s AL Rookie of the Year—who is set to make his season debut soon.
“I’m looking forward to these players competing in a really difficult market against some really high-end teams,” Cashman concluded. “We’re looking forward to taking our shot.”
