​MINNEAPOLIS, MN. – MAY 2026: Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) scored on a double by Twins first baseman Kody Clemens (2) in the third inning on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Minneapolis. The Twins hosted the Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field. (Photo by Jerry Holt/The Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images
Good afternoon, everyone—time to dive back into the mailbag and answer some of your questions. Please keep sending in your inquiries for our weekly rundown by emailing pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.
torturedsoulv1 asks: How many relievers do you think the Yankees need? How many do you think they will actually trade for?
They could probably use a couple, if we’re being honest, but they’ll likely target at least one. Camilo Doval has all the tools to be a quality reliever, yet he’s been consistently frustrating since arriving from San Francisco at last year’s deadline. He’s the most likely candidate to be jettisoned in a bullpen shakeup, as I can’t see the team trusting him with late leads down the stretch and they have more effective pitchers for mop-up duty. Jake Bird began the season looking like a lost cause but has turned things around in May and June, so he has a place for now, though he also has an option remaining if the club wants to stash him in the minors should he slump again. Tim Hill has also lost some of the magic of his lanky lefty presence, so if they can find an effective left-handed upgrade they might pursue it, though he’s not pitching as poorly as he did in May.
Up until yesterday, I would’ve said the plan was to search for a left-handed upgrade as a trade target and rely on Carlos Lagrange as the right-handed upgrade, but with Lagrange on the IL with a shoulder injury, a 2026 debut for him in relief now seems unlikely. It’s more possible now that they push for two arms, especially given their apparent reluctance to trust Yovanny Cruz with a bullpen role despite his success in the few outings he’s had; perhaps Cruz will slot into the spot they intended for Lagrange once he’s back in the majors.
OLDY MOLDY asks: Will there be any real impact bats available at the trade deadline?
The most impactful one for the Yankees would be Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers, who could be moved toward selling by getting him going this weekend. Although he’s appeared in only 37 games this season due to a hamate injury, Jeffers was enjoying a career year before his shutdown and is nearing a return after stringing together several days of hitting. His 164 wRC+ would far outpace the Yankees’ other catchers, and his track record over the last three seasons suggests he could bring some pop to a position that has long needed a boost.