Yankees trade idea would bring 'under-the-radar' World Series champion to NY
The New York Yankees could be in the market for relievers at the trade deadline. Devin Williams and Luke Weaver have turned into a great duo at the backend of the bullpen, but the team could use some middle relievers to bridge the gap between the starter and their one-two punch.
The Yankees' bullpen has a 3.45 ERA, which is among the best in baseball. However, when October starts, an elite bullpen can be the difference between advancing and not. FanSided's Lucas Babits-Feinerman suggested the Yankees swing a trade for "under-the-radar" reliever Chris Martin of the Texas Rangers.
"Martin's 9.33 K/BB ratio is second among qualified relievers behind Tanner Scott," wrote Babits-Feinerman. "He's been a fly ball pitcher this season, but over his career he's done a great job of keeping the ball on the ground, so that's a skill Matt Blake could help rejuvenate. He's got a four-pitch mix (fastball, cutter, splitter, and sinker), and his 94.7 MPH average fastball velocity would be fourth in the Yankees 'pen behind Yerry De La Cruz, Ian Hamilton, and Jonathan Loasiga. There aren't many pitchers like Martin who average over a strikeout per inning while hardly walking anybody."
Martin will be a free agent after the season ends and the Rangers could be sellers at the deadline. The Rangers are 40-42, but just 2 1/2 games out of a wild card spot.
Martin is in his 10th big league season. He won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021 and has a 1.88 ERA in the postseason over the course of his career. He has the type of postseason experience that could be valuable to the Yankees.
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This season, he has a 2.49 ERA and he has walked just three batters in 29 outings. Adding Martin could give the Yankees a weapon in the seventh inning to set up their duo of Weaver and Williams.
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