DO THE YANKEES HAVE THE MAGIC TOUCH?

Source: NY Times

Gleyber Torres to the Tigers earlier this week was a bittersweet move. He'd be hot, but then he was not and his defensive acumen is extremely weak. So as position players leave and new ones enter through the Stadium turnstile, the question I have for all of you as we move toward our last few days of 2024, do the Yankees have the magic touch for what's ahead in 2025? Or do they need more?

Besides moving ahead with key acquisitions for first base, outfield and starting pitching, the Yankees have some bull pen needs to round things out. Last season, the Yankees bull pen had the magic touch until it didn't. This year, there can be no holes, no flaws if they want to be all in. According to SI.com, "The free agent market for relief pitching always moves slow on an annual basis but should begin to heat up once January and February roll around." Who can bring that magic to the Yankees?

The Yankees added right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz in a trade with the Reds which sent Jose Trevino to Cincinnati. They also picked up Devin Williams from the Brewers in a trade that sent Nestor Cortes to Milwaukee. The Yankees will get Jonathan Loáisiga back as well come February. But they need likely more depth to get the finish line first.

According to Newsweek, "New York could look to add more to the bullpen, with St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley being the top option potentially available. The Yankees could attempt to center a trade around Marcus Stroman, although St. Louis has reportedly declined a Stroman for Nolan Arenado deal." Analysts say that adding Helsley and perhaps his teammate Miles Mikolas could give the Yankees what they need. In fact, that could be the exclamation point. 

"Helsley is a two-time All-Star and the reigning Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year. He will be a free agent after this season. Helsley is one of the few players in the league who could give the Yankees an actual decision to make at closer. Devin Williams is also a two-time All-Star and a two-time Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year. Having both guys in the bullpen would make the Yankees nearly untouchable in close games. Mikolas is also a two-time All-Star. He had a down year last season, but the Yankees could hope to help him reach his All-Star form again," reported Sporting News.

Magic Touch or confidence? I think it is a bit of both. And with that bit of both, the Yankees can be the team to beat in 2025. Let's see what the New Year rings in and then see how things progress leading into a very much anticipated Spring Training. And let's hope that Aaron Boone doesn't mess things up. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof