The New York Yankees are making moves to strengthen their pitching staff after adding Marcus Stroman to their rotation. Now, the team is shifting their focus to bolstering their bullpen. Reports indicate that the Yankees have expressed interest in free agent lefty Josh Hader, but their pursuits may extend beyond him.
MLB Network’s Jon Paul Morosi revealed on Wednesday that the Yankees are among the teams eyeing right-hander Robert Stephenson. Additionally, they have also been linked to Dominican right-hander Héctor Neris, according to Héctor Gómez.
Stephenson put up impressive numbers with the Tampa Bay Rays last season following a midseason trade from the Pirates. In 38.1 innings, he struck out 60 batters, walked only eight, and posted a 2.35 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and limited opponents to a .138 batting average.
As for Neris, he had a standout year with the Houston Astros, recording a 1.71 earned run percentage and a 1.05 WHIP in 71 appearances. The 34-year-old is reportedly seeking a three-year, $50 million contract.
With the Yankees looking to shore up their bullpen, the addition of Stephenson and Neris could provide significant depth and talent to their pitching staff. Stay tuned for further developments as the Yankees continue to navigate the free agency market.