The New York Yankees still have a major problem with their relief pitchers: who could they sign?

Summer has begun, but the New York Yankees are no longer as hot as they were in the first two months of the season. The Big Apple side are keeping up the best record in the Major Leagues (51-26), but they have lost three of their last four series (LA Dodgers, Red Sox and Orioles). Much of this negative trend has a simple reasoning behind it: relief pitching.

On Thursday, under the lights of their own home stadium, the Yankees were humiliated by the Orioles, who managed 17 runs, the highest number scored against the New York side since 2019. Baltimore unleashed a heavy offence early on and knocked out the Yankees’ best pitcher this year, Luis Gil, in the second inning.

Gil went to the clubhouse with just one and a third innings of work done: due to the catastrophe, catcher José Treviño ended up pitching the ninth inning. Given the shock of Gil’s situation mixed with that of the stand-in Treviño, six pitchers allowed nine runs in just over six innings.

The Yankees’ bullpen has been punished like a leather punching bag in recent weeks. As a group, their relief pitchers rank 22nd in the MLB with a 21.6 percent strikeout rate, and their 11.6% strikeout minus walk rate ranks 24th. Although the numbers are not the worst we’ve ever seen, they do not match a team of the calibre of the Yankees, who are aiming for what could be their first World Series since 2009.

The New York bullpen ranks tenth in ERA with 3.52, with the most notable member being closer Clay Holmes. He did not allow a single run in his first 20 appearances of the season, but since May 20, he has allowed 10 runs in 12 innings. He allowed two runs in the 10th inning of Wednesday’s game against Baltimore, taking the loss on the chin.

Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and company have helped the Yankees relief team not be as exposed as their numbers indicate. And only an organisation with a record of .500 or better has a worse relief squad than the New York team.

Yesterday morning, the Yankees signed Yankee left-hander Tim Hill. He immediately became active with the Bombers and accepted a three-run home run. Hill is expected to be the Yankees’ anchor left-handed arm: the two left-handed relievers they have carried all season are Caleb Ferguson and Víctor González. Ferguson has a 5.47 ERA. González has an ERA of 3.86, but has walked 13 with only 11 strikeouts.

Injuries had also taken their toll: three relievers from the Opening Day roster are on the injured list. Nick Burdi and Ian Hamilton were on the 15-day list, while Jonathan Loáisiga will not return for the rest of the season. They were joined by Scott Effross and Lou Trivino on the 60-day injured list. Tommy Kahnle is now deemed healthy to play, but a shoulder issue had delayed his season debut until the 22nd of May. As well as the aforementioned move, among the options that the Yankees are observing, according to various reports, is Michael Kopech of the Chicago White Sox.

Leaning on a fastball that averages 98.8 mph, Kopech has 43 strikeouts in 29.1 innings pitched. He has a 2-6 record with a 4.91 ERA along with 18 walks and a 1.50 WHIP. Let’s first see if it comes to fruition and then we’ll be able to judge whether or not they can dig themselves out of this deep hole.