Yankees Could Use A Disappointing Bullpen Piece In Major Deadline Pivot

With the trade deadline looming, the New York Yankees are contemplating moving struggling reliever Camilo Doval in a strategic bid for roster improvements.

The Yankees are still hunting for help in multiple places as the MLB trade deadline approaches, and that search may force them to think beyond the farm system.

Catcher sits at the top of the list, but New York could also use bullpen help, an infield upgrade, and some righty-hitting outfield depth. That kind of shopping list can get expensive fast, which is why the Yankees may look to move a player already on the big-league roster to create room for another deal.

According to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, one name in that conversation is Camilo Doval. Castillo reported that the Yankees are open to trading the right-handed reliever this summer as they try to improve elsewhere on the roster.

"While the New York Yankees are looking to add a leverage reliever or two, they're also open to trading reliever Camilo Doval, sources told ESPN," Castillo reports.

Doval, 29, was an All-Star in 2023 with the San Francisco Giants, but things have not gone smoothly since he landed in New York. He posted a 4.82 ERA in 22 appearances after joining the Yankees last season, and this year he has a 4.74 ERA in 42 outings.

Across 64 games with the Yankees, Doval owns a 4.76 ERA, a -1.0 bWAR, and 60 strikeouts in 56.2 innings. His 88 ERA+ with New York points to a reliever who has been below average in pinstripes.

Even so, Doval remains under club control through 2027, which gives him some appeal for teams looking beyond just the current season. The source notes that a club such as the Minnesota Twins might be willing to part with Ryan Jeffers for that kind of controllable bullpen arm.

His performance in New York has clearly taken a bite out of his value, but the Yankees could still use him as part of a larger deal to address one of their other needs. They may need to include a prospect or two to make the numbers work, but Doval still carries some trade value because of the upside and the years of control attached to him.

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