The New York Yankees bullpen is shaping up to be a bit of a puzzle heading into the 2026 season. Outside of closer David Bednar, who’s locked in as the ninth-inning guy, there are more questions than answers.
The arms behind him? Talented, no doubt-but inconsistent.
Camilo Doval brings electric stuff to the mound, but his command can waver at the worst times. Fernando Cruz is in a similar boat-capable of making hitters look foolish, but also prone to giving away free passes. And while re-signing Paul Blackburn adds some depth, it’s not a move that shifts the bullpen’s ceiling.
That’s why the Yankees are still shopping for more reliable relief options. According to reports, they’ve shown interest in left-hander Garrett Cleavinger, currently with the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s not the first time Cleavinger has been on their radar, and it’s easy to see why he’s drawing attention again.
Cleavinger is coming off a breakout year with the Rays, posting a career-best 2.35 ERA while striking out 82 batters in 61.1 innings. That’s a 33 percent strikeout rate-elite territory for a reliever. He’s the kind of arm that can miss bats in high-leverage spots, something the Yankees bullpen could use more of, especially from the left side.
What makes Cleavinger even more intriguing is his velocity. His fastball averaged 96.5 mph this past season, a sharp contrast to the current crop of left-handers on the Yankees’ 40-man roster.
Brent Headrick, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, and Jayvien Sandridge all bring different skills to the table, but none are known for overpowering hitters. Cleavinger would add a different flavor-power from the left side that the Yankees currently lack.
There’s also a timely opportunity for the Yankees to get a closer look at Cleavinger. He recently committed to play for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, where he’ll be teammates with none other than Aaron Judge-Yankees right fielder and Team USA captain. That kind of proximity could give the Yankees a unique chance to scout Cleavinger up close, both on and off the field.
While Cleavinger might not be a household name yet, his 2025 performance suggests he’s trending in the right direction. If the Yankees are serious about tightening up the back end of their bullpen, especially with more swing-and-miss potential from the left side, Cleavinger is a name worth watching.
With the offseason still unfolding, there’s time for the Yankees to make a move. But if they’re eyeing a bullpen that can go toe-to-toe with the best in October, adding a high-velocity lefty like Cleavinger could be a smart step toward getting there.