With its bullpen struggling, the Yankees are targeting Colorado right‑hander Jake Bird—a controllable arm under team control through 2028.
As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, the New York Yankees are scouring the market for bullpen reinforcements, particularly high-leverage relievers who come at a reasonable price. Amid a 4.22 bullpen ERA and poor late-game performance, sources indicate Jake Bird of the Colorado Rockies has emerged as a trade candidate.
Despite Colorado’s league-worst performance, Bird has posted metrics suggesting a true bounce-back. He represents a low-risk, controllable arm that could stabilize New York’s relief corps down the stretch and into 2026.
I would love for the Braves to trade for someone like Jake Bird 💯
▪️not a free agent until 2029
▪️3.09 FIP/3.32 xFIP
▪️3.19 SIERA
▪️3.34 xERA
▪️27% K
▪️his new sweeper is nastypic.twitter.com/6IWpNf1JXk https://t.co/R6Vz3mxhzf— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) July 28, 2025
Why Bird Makes Sense for the Yankees
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Bounce-back signal: Although Bird’s reported 4.05 ERA covers the struggles of a weak Rockies bullpen, underlying analytics, such as a 2.53 FIP and strong strikeout rates, indicate better performance than his ERA suggests.
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High-leverage polish: His mix of swing-and-miss breaking stuff and sinker-arm ground ball profile makes him a natural fit for late-innings duties.
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Contract control: He remains under team control through 2028, providing mid-term flexibility for New York’s postseason foresight.
Why Colorado May Trade Bird
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Contender reset signal: With a historically poor win total in 2025, the Rockies are expected to ship controllable pieces for young talent, especially bullpen assets.
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Bullpen depth to move: Bird’s strong second-half inputs and youth position him as a valuable trade chip to replenish prospect depth.
Potential Yankees-Rockies Trade
| Yankees Receive | Rockies Receive | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Bird (RHP) | High-A reliever prospect High-A position prospect |
Yankees shore up bullpen with controllable asset; Rockies receive mid-tier prospects to replenish rebuild pipeline. |
Jake Bird, 29:
2025: 4.05 ERA / 53.1 IPs / 62 Ks
Career 4.40 ERAHe runs above-average to elite GB%, average in-zone rates on his SW/SI, and possesses unique pitch shapes.
He has 2 more option years and is a free agent after 2029.
He has a unique delivery and a new Sweeper: pic.twitter.com/g5gR3Y64By
— Remi Bunikiewicz (@RBunikiewicz) July 26, 2025
In a tight playoff race and with a bullpen hanging by a thread, the Yankees could do well to acquire Jake Bird: a controllable reliever whose advanced metrics suggest he’s performing well below expectation.
Bird’s low cost and multi-year control align with New York’s strategy of building a postseason-ready bullpen without surrendering top-tier assets. For Colorado, trading him yields instant value in prospects, a smart move for a team in transition. Expect more movement from the Rockies’ bullpen if the Yankees continue exploring upgrades in the next week.
