Yankees' Top Hypothetical Trade Targets for Early Season Shakeup

With a starting rotation that is performing at a high level even without Gerrit Cole and a solid offense, the New York Yankees biggest focus at the trade deadline will likely be upgrading the relief corps.

Closer Clay Holmes is one of the best in the game, but bridging the gap to him has been shaky at times, and it's also worth noting that Holmes will be a free agent at season's end which could create a hole at the back of the bullpen going forward.

With that in mind, we've highlighted one blockbuster target, one logical target, and one low-cost target the Yankees could potentially pursue on this year's trade market.

Blockbuster Target: RHP Mason Miller, Oakland Athletics

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 01: Mason Miller #19 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the ninth inning on May 1, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

With a 0.98 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 18.1 innings, Mason Miller has been baseball's most dominant reliever in his first full season pitching out of the bullpen for the Oakland Athletics.

The 25-year-old has club control through the 2029 season, which would likely be enough to make him untouchable playing for almost any other organization, but the Athletics churn through talent in a way that makes no one on their roster immune from trade talks.

It would take a massive prospect haul, likely fronted by either Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones, but Miller would solidify the back end of the Yankees bullpen for the foreseeable future and cushion the blow of potentially losing Clay Holmes in free agency.

Logical Target: LHP Tanner Scott, Miami Marlins

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 01: Tanner Scott #66 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the eighth inning of the game at loanDepot park on May 01, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Left-hander Tanner Scott is one of the safest bets to be moved between now and the trade deadline as a quality late-inning reliever who is set to reach free agency this offseason and is pitching for a Miami Marlins team going nowhere.

The 29-year-old flashes intriguing power stuff early in his career before finally breakout out last season with a 2.31 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 78 innings while tallying 12 saves and 24 holds in 74 appearances.

He has dealt with some command issues early on this season, but still sports a 2.12 ERA and 9.5 K/9 with four saves in 17 appearances.

Outside-the-Box Target: John Brebbia, Chicago White Sox

Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 01: Chicago White Sox pitcher John Brebbia (59) delivers a pitch during an MLB game against the Minnesota Twins on May 01, 2024 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With a 5.93 ERA in 15 appearances for the Chicago White Sox this season, John Brebbia does not jump off the page as an exciting potential bullpen upgrade.

However, he has a more palatable 4.45 FIP that suggests he has dealt with some bad luck, and his 18-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 13.2 innings also paints an encouraging picture of the quality of his stuff.

The 33-year-old had a 3.47 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 in 116 appearances with the San Francisco Giants in 2022 and 2023, and he has a team-friendly $4 million salary this year with a $6 million club option and $1.5 million buyouts for 2025.