YANKEES JUST SNAGGED ANOTHER LEFTY RELIEVER!

Just hours after discussing how much the Yankees could benefit from adding a left-handed reliever like Andrew Chafin (Read THE YANKEES NEED ANDREW CHAFIN!), they made a move to bolster their bullpen—this time with another southpaw who could be a valuable asset. It’s an exciting development, and I’m eager to see how it plays out.

According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Yankees have signed left-hander Tyler Matzek to a minor league deal, giving themselves another option heading into the season. Matzek played a crucial role in the Atlanta Braves' bullpen during their 2021 World Series run, posting a stellar 2.57 ERA over 69 regular-season outings. He was even more dominant in the postseason, recording a 1.72 ERA across 13 appearances while notching three wins and striking out 24 batters in 15.2 innings.

Matzek recently held a showcase for teams, and it appears he made a strong enough impression for the Yankees to bring him into Spring Training. After injuries limited him to just 11 major league appearances in 2024—none after May 4—this signing represents a classic low-risk, high-reward opportunity. The Yankees are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, and I have a good feeling they might.

If Matzek performs well in camp, he has a legitimate chance to earn a spot in the bullpen. Currently, Tim Hill—who was recently re-signed—is the only left-handed reliever on the Yankees' 40-man roster. For me, this signing provides the Yankees with much-needed depth, and if Matzek can regain his form, he could be a key contributor out of the bullpen in 2025.