Three Relievers the Yankees could Trade For Ahead of 2026

With closer Pete Fairbanks signing a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins on December 24th, the majority of the upper echelon of relievers have come off the board. The Yankees were really only linked to one of those relievers, that being Luke Weaver, but the club never made a formal offer. With the price for relievers in free agency, it was always speculated that the Yankees would have to fix their bullpen via trade. With some teams with great relievers doing a sell-off, here are some names we can see.

1. Garrett Cleavenger -- Tampa Bay Rays

May 21, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Garrett Cleavinger (60) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports | Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Rays seem to be entering rebuild mode once again. After trading away franchise star Brandon Lowe to the Pittsburg Pirates, along with Jake Mangum, it was clear the Rays are taking a step back. The Yankees will be taking a look at lefty Garrett Cleavenger as a potential opportunity at the backend of their bullpen. A source indicated late this week that the Yankees scouted Cleavenger extensively at the trade deadline, and interest in the southpaw remained.

Across 56 appearances, Cleavenger posted a 3.42 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 52.2 innings pitched. He remained a premier "strikeout artist" in the bullpen, racking up 62 strikeouts (10.6 K/9) using a high-velocity fastball and a sweeping slider that generated an elite 34% whiff rate. While he occasionally battled command issues -- leading to a walk rate slightly above league average -- his ability to escape inherited runner situations made him a favorite of manager Kevin Cash in high-pressure late-inning spots.

Cleavenger’s effectiveness was particularly notable in how he handled batters from both sides of the plate. While he remained a "lefty specialist" by trade, he proved more than capable of navigating right-handed heavy lineups.

As the numbers indicate, Cleavenger was nearly untouchable against lefties, allowing an OPS over 150 points lower than against righties. However, his .232 average against right-handers was still well below the league average for relievers, solidifying his role as a versatile multi-out threat rather than a lefty specialist like Tim Hill. With Cleavenger's strike out numbers and late-inning prowess, the Yankees need to try and get a deal done with the Rays.

2. JoJo Romero -- St. Louis Cardinals

Image of JoJo Romero. Credit: MLB.Com

The St. Louis Cardinals are also open for business this offseason. There are some appealing names on their roster, but one that sticks out to me is lefty JoJo Romero. Romero is an experienced high-leverage reliever, even with some closing experience. In 2025, Romero posted a 3.62 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP across 64.2 innings while striking out 68 and walking 24. He was particularly effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .189 average and a .258 wOBA. Right-handers gave him some struggles, with a .261 average and .330 wOBA against. Despite some volatility, Romero remained a reliable bullpen piece. He converted 12 holds and allowing runs in only 3 of his final 15 appearances.

While Romero is a left-hander, his 2025 splits were remarkably balanced, making him effective against lineups regardless of handedness. He was particularly efficient at keeping the ball in the yard against lefties, allowing zero home runs to them the entire season.

While lefties hit for a similar average to righties, they struggled significantly more to drive the ball or score, evidenced by Romero's elite 1.08 ERA in those matchups.

3. Trevor Megill -- Milwaukee Brewers

Jul 9, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill (29) pitches during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Trevor Megill reached a new ceiling in 2025, solidifying his place as a premier late-inning weapon for the Milwaukee Brewers. Earning his first career All-Star selection, Megill took over the primary closer duties and flourished, recording 30 saves in 34 opportunities.

Over 50 appearances, he posted a sharp 2.49 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 47.0 innings. His success was fueled by elite velocity—his four-seam fastball averaged 99.1 mph—and a devastating knuckle-curve that helped him rack up 60 strikeouts (an 11.5 K/9 rate).

Megill was effective against both sides of the plate, though his strategy shifted depending on the hitter's handedness. He relied on his high-heat to blow away lefties, while showing improved efficiency and lower ERA against righties.