Yankees Deadline Deal? MLB Insider Suggests Trade For Star Closer

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Zach Pressnell is a Newsweek contributor based in Columbus, Ohio. His focus is MLB content. He has an extensive knowledge of professional baseball and all things that come with it after working closely with the sport for years. Zach has been with Newsweek since November 2024 and previously worked at FanSided and OnSI. He is a graduate of Bethany College (WV). You can get in touch with Zach by emailing z.pressnell@newsweek.com.

Zach Pressnell

Contributing Sports Writer

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Coming into the season, the New York Yankees were the heavy favorites to win the loaded American League East. The Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays were all expected to chase the Yankees, but just over halfway through the season, it’s the Yankees chasing the division lead.

With that in mind, the Yankees will likely be one of the more active buyers at the trade deadline. The Bronx Bombers need to bring in at least one starting pitcher and a third baseman. But they also need to add some talent to their bullpen, especially if they can’t add another ace to their rotation.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently suggested the Bronx Bombers were one of the “best fits” in a potential trade for Minnesota Twins star closer Jhoan Duran in the coming weeks.

“Duran is one of the best relievers in the sport, thanks to his nasty stuff, headlined by a fastball that averages 100.2 mph and a splinker that sits 97.5 mph,” Passan wrote. “He has two more years of team control after this season, so he’d demand a big trade package.”

Adding Duran would be a dream come true for the Yankees. He’s one of the more dominant bullpen arms in baseball and the Yankees could use him as a seventh or eighth inning guy with Devin Williams and Luke Weaver already at the backend of the game.

The issue here is the Yankees don’t have the prospect capital to make a big move like this if they’re also going to add starting pitching and an infielder. While it would be beneficial to make this move, the Yankees’ front office likely won’t be able to make it happen.

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