Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, the New York Yankees’ bullpen is likely headed towards a makeover. Devin Williams and Mark Leiter Jr., who combined for 110 1/3 innings in 2025, have already signed elsewhere. Luke Weaver had a miserable 2025 postseason, so a return to the Bronx seems unlikely.
Bigger names like Edwin Diaz and Robert Suarez are already off the free agent market. Still, several quality relief pitchers remain available for the Yankees to pursue.
Jakob Junis
A nine-year MLB veteran, Jakob Junis has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past two seasons. In 2024, Junis went 4-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 69 innings pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. He followed that up with a 4-1 record in 2025, pitching to a 2.97 ERA in 66 2/3 innings for the Cleveland Guardians.
Despite not having a great fastball in 2025, Junis’ off-speed pitches were among the best in the majors. According to Savant, his off-speed run value of six ranked in the 92nd percentile.
At 33, Junis likely wouldn’t be more than a one-year signing for the Yankees. However, if his past few seasons are any indication, he would be a welcome addition to the team as a middle reliever.
Pete Fairbanks
2025 was another strong season for Pete Fairbanks. In a career-best 60 1/3 innings for the Tampa Bay Rays, he posted a 2.83 ERA across 61 appearances. It was the fourth time in six seasons that Fairbanks posted a sub-3.00 ERA, giving him a career mark of 3.19.
Unlike Junis, Fairbanks gets nearly all his value from his fastball. Since he made his debut in 2019, his fastball velocity has never ranked below the 90th percentile in a single season, according to Savant. In fact, this past season, Fairbanks’ fastball totaled a career-best run value of seven.
Fairbanks is 31, so a multi-year deal is certainly possible. As for how he would fit into the Yankees’ relief corps, that remains a question. Fairbanks primarily served as the Rays’ closer last season, a role that David Bednar is expected to hold for the Yankees in 2026. The odd one out projects as the setup man, so the Yankees would have a decision to make.
Tyler Rogers
Since making his major league debut at 29, Tyler Rogers has become one of the most consistent relief pitchers in baseball. This past season, he had the best campaign of his career, posting a 1.98 ERA with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. He did that in 81 appearances, a number that led all pitchers.
In 2025, Rogers’ fastball was on full display once again. The pitch generated a run value of 18, which ranked in the 96th percentile, according to Savant. In total, he compiled a pitching run value of 22, ranking in the 95th percentile.
Rogers has the versatility to fill any bullpen need, though he would likely be a high-leverage candidate considering his success last season. He does have closing experience, though, should something happen to Bednar.
More Major League Baseball Articles
More New York Yankees Articles
More MLB Articles
- Categories
-
Major League Baseball
New York Yankees
