The New York Yankees made a move in the bullpen market on Tuesday. With the MLB trade deadline approaching, the Yankees ensured they would come away with at least one piece to help out their struggling ‘pen.
New York acquired right-handed pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs. The Yankees parted ways with two of their prospects for Leiter Jr., who, of course, is related to famed former big leaguer Al Leiter. Conveniently, Leiter played for the Yankees on two separate occasions.
According to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, New York dealt prospects Ben Cowls and Jack Neely to the Cubs.
Trade news: The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a trade that will send right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. to the Yankees and infielder Ben Cowles and right-handed reliever Jack Neely to the Cubs, sources tell me and @kileymcd.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2024
Leiter’s ERA this season is a bit ballooned at 4.21. His peripherals indicate that he’s a much better pitcher than that, and Yankee fans should take note of that. Additionally, he has posted a career-high in Swinging Strike% (16.5%) and a career-low in Zone Contact% (82.5 percent). For what it’s worth, his zone contact percentage has decreased every year he’s pitched in the big leagues.
New York is loading up and hoping to return back to the World Series, where they haven’t competed in 15 years.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022