MLB Insider Expects Yankees to Trade for 'Big Relief Arm' amid Bednar, Helsley Rumors

The struggling New York Yankees are expected to land a "big relief arm" before Thursday's trade deadline, per ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday's edition of Pardon The Interruption.

Passan introduced the information by first discussing injured New York Yankees superstar outfielder Aaron Judge, who is on the 15-day IL with a right flexor strain and will be a designated hitter upon his return.

"But even if he's not in the outfield all the rest of this season, he's still going to be a force in that lineup. And because of that, the Yankees are shopping for closers. They're in on David Bednar, they're in on Ryan Helsley. I anticipate they're going to get a big relief arm before the deadline is over. Perhaps two relief arms and they're also looking for starting pitcher as well."

The 30-year-old Bednar is in his seventh MLB season and fifth with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 42 appearances, the closer has posted a 2.37 ERA (1.11 WHIP) and 51 strikeouts in 38 innings while adding 17 saves. Bednar just enjoyed a string of 14 straight scoreless relief appearances before allowing a run on Monday against the San Francisco Giants.

The 31-year-old Helsley, who is the St. Louis Cardinals' closer, has posted a 3.00 ERA (1.39 WHIP) in 36 games. He's struck out 41 batters over 36 innings while amassing 21 saves. The two-time All-Star led the major leagues last season with 49 saves.

The 2025 season has not been a good one for the Yankees' bullpen. Their reliever ERA is in the bottom third of baseball (21st) at 4.25, per MLB.com. Simply put, New York needs more help on the back end.

The Yankees have already made a big move leading up to Thursday's trade deadline, adding third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. But the Yankees, who were once 42-25 and sitting atop the AL East, are now 57-49 and looking up at the Toronto Blue Jays, leaders in the division by 5.5 games.

Things are so bad that the Yankees are only a game-and-a-half ahead of the Texas Rangers, the first team out of the wild card picture. So the Yankees need to make more moves, and it appears the bullpen could be a focal point here.