Can the Yankees Rediscover Luis Gil’s 100-MPH Heat?

The Yankees offseason has been super slow an boring, but rumors are beginning to swirl. It's no secret that the Yankees are looking to add another bat to their lineup, preferably Cody Bellinger. Adding Bellinger would allow for Spencer Jones or Jasson Dominguez, as noted earlier this offseason. This could add to Luis Gil moving to the bullpen.

The Yankees bullpen is a huge issue going into next season. The Yankees have signaled that they are not willing to spend big on a bullpen. A source indicated they are looking for more of the fixer-upper type in the market. The good news -- the Yankees have a lot of depth, including in their own rotation.

Current Yankees Bullpen (without Luis Gil):

The Yankees are missing velocity in their bullpen. In their quest to add another starter to the roster -- likely via Trade -- a rotation spot would be needed. With this in mind, it could make sense for the Yankees to move Luis Gil to the bullpen.

Luis Gil's 2025 Season

Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, had a rough, injury-filled 2025 season. While he managed a respectable 3.32 ERA and a 4-1 record over 11 starts down the stretch, his underlying metrics suggest he was far from his peak form.

Gil’s strikeout rate plummeted from a dominant 26.8% in 2024 to just 16.8% in 2025, driven by a significant drop in his whiff rate (from 29% to 21.5%). Most concerning was his declining velocity; his average 4-seam fastball fell from 96.6 mph to 95.2 mph, even bottoming out at 93.7 mph in a late-September start against the White Sox. These struggles were compounded by a ballooning 5.2 BB/9, leading to a 4.63 FIP that indicates he was frequently "playing with fire" on the mound.

How Luis Gil Fits in the 'Pen

The case for moving Gil to the bullpen in 2026 centers on simplifying his mechanics and maximizing his "electric" but inconsistent arm. A relief role would allow Gil to rediscover his triple-digit velocity in shorter outings rather than pacing himself -- and losing command -- over five or six innings.

The Yankees have lacked a reliable, multi-inning high-leverage weapon since trading Michael King. Moving Gil to a bulk relief or setup role could solve this deficiency while protecting him from the high workload that has repeatedly led to injuries. Gil is an asset for the Yankees, and using him in a role that will keep him on the field should be the team's top priority in 2026.