PHILADELPHIA – In moves to address bullpen needs, the Yankees swung separate trades for Mark Leiter Jr. and fellow right-hander Enyel De Los Santos before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline.
But with big names moving elsewhere, a disappointed fan base was left wondering “is that all there is?”
The Yankees sent minor league prospects Jack Neely and Ben Cowles to the Chicago Cubs for the veteran reliever Leiter Jr., and moved minor league outfielder Brandon Lockridge to the San Diego Padres for De Los Santos and minor league right-hander Thomas Balboni Jr.
After swinging Saturday’s deal for the energetic infielder-outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Yankees’ trade deadline haul lacked the kind of impact arm that Yankees Universe anticipated adding down the stretch.
In particular, the Yankees had a need for a lefty reliever, with ex-White Sox setup man Tim Hill now the lone lefty after the underperforming Caleb Ferguson was flipped to the Houston Astros on Tuesday for a minor league pitcher and international bonus pool money.
Yankees’ less-than-sizzling trade deadline haul
Before Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline, the Yanks saw prized lefty closer Tanner Scott move to the Padres, from the Marlins.
On a lesser scale, veteran Andrew Chafin went to the Rangers from the Tigers, and Tanner Banks moved to the Phillies from the White Sox.
Unwilling to pay the high price tag for the controllable Lucas Erceg, the Yanks saw the right-hander swapped to the Royals from the Athletics.
The equally impactful Michael Kopech went to the Dodgers from the White Sox, and starter Jack Flaherty – also the subject of Yankees’ interest – went to the Dodgers from the Tigers.
Mark Leiter Jr. “will fit right in” with the Yankees
The son of Mark Leiter (who made his MLB debut with the 1990 Yankees) and nephew of Mets and Yankees lefty Al Leiter, the right-handed Mark Leiter Jr. is under team control through the 2026 season.
With the Cubs this year, Leiter Jr., 33, posted a 4.21 ERA in 39 games, with 53 strikeouts and 13 walks in 36.1 innings.
