The New York Yankees have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs.
The deal involves sending infield prospect Ben Cowles and relief prospect Jack Neely to the Cubs in exchange for Leiter.
Leiter, who has posted a 4.21 ERA this season, brings significant strikeout potential to the Yankees’ relief corps.
Over 39 appearances and 36 ⅓ innings, Leiter has notched 53 strikeouts, averaging 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings – an impressive figure that will enhance a Yankees bullpen currently struggling with strikeouts.
A Toms River, N.J., native, the 33-year-old Leiter is under team control through the 2026 season.
He follows in the footsteps of his father, former Yankee Mark Leiter Sr., and his uncle, former Yankee and Met Al Leiter.
In exchange, the Yankees are sending Neely, a hard-throwing prospect from Triple-A who was viewed as a potential future asset, along with Cowles, a promising infielder.
This trade comes amid other MLB headlines, including Jeter Downs’ departure to Japan and ongoing speculation about Jack Flaherty’s next team.
It’s safe to assume this won’t be the only deal the Yankees make today.
We’ll soon find out if general manager Brian Cashman is able to strike a deal for a major difference-maker such as reigning Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.