The Yankees’ decision to bring in Eli Morgan says a lot about where their bullpen stands right now: they’re searching for help anywhere they can find it, even if the upside is thin.
Morgan was a much more appealing name in 2024, when he was working as a key piece in the Cleveland Guardians bullpen. Back then, he was a crafty right-hander who leaned on location and soft contact to get outs.
That version is long gone. The pitcher with the 1.93 ERA is not the same one available now, after an elbow injury wiped out most of his 2025 season and he struggled when he did take the mound this year.
His brief run with the Kansas City Royals was all over the place. Morgan would string together a game or two without allowing a run, then have a rough outing, then bounce back with another scoreless appearance or two. That inconsistency is a big reason he kept getting moved between the majors and Triple-A before eventually being designated for assignment.
The Yankees clearly believe the gamble is worth taking. With three games separating them from first place and a steady diet of close games ahead, they’re hoping Morgan can give them innings and maybe a few clean frames along the way. The concern in New York is obvious: the bullpen’s top arms are being leaned on too hard.
That urgency also makes the timing of the move stand out. The Yankees had their chance to address the issue at the August 4th trade deadline, but instead of going after relief help, they added two bats in Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos and stopped there.
The bullpen itself had been a problem long before that. It was already in need of reinforcements last winter, yet the club let it ride. Counting on Morgan to rediscover what he had two years ago feels more like a prayer than a plan.
At this point, the best-case fix is probably a chain reaction elsewhere on the roster. If Max Fried returns sooner rather than later and the rotation stays healthy, the Yankees could move Will Warren or Ryan Weathers into relief and hope one of them adapts well to a new role after spending the year as a starter.
Even with a few decent pickups like Paul Blackburn and Brent Headrick, the Yankees still look like a team with only three quality relievers and a lot of faith that Tim Hill and Fernando Cruz won’t blow up every time out. They needed more help, and now they’re relying on their own creativity to make up for what never got done.
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For a club that has been looking to replenish talent in the international space, the timing is notable. Sanchez is expected to draw interest as a top prospect, and the Yankees are positioned to pursue him before the next international signing period potentially gets complicated by labor negotiations. It is the kind of late-window opportunity teams do not always get, and one New York could badly use. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Bullpen Move Puts Immediate Pressure On Veteran Reliever
Justin Topa is getting another crack at the majors, and the Yankees are making room for him in a move that says plenty about where the bullpen stands right now. The club plans to select the veteran relievers contract and create a 40-man opening, likely by shifting Giancarlo Stanton to the 60-day injured list, after Topa turned in solid work in Triple-A with the Yankees affiliate.
For Topa, the promotion is more than a short-term call-up. Because of his service time and roster rules, he will have to earn his way into a lasting bullpen role if he wants to stay on the major league roster, which gives this stint a very immediate edge. The Yankees are betting his recent form can translate, but the next few days will determine whether this turns into a real opportunity or just another stop on a winding season. [Read more 🡒]