By Joiner Martinez
30 Jul 2024, 18:44 PM EDT
Right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. came to the New York Yankees via trade from the Chicago Cubs as part of the team’s moves to bolster its bullpen.
The Cubs will receive Double-A shortstop Ben Cowles and Triple-A reliever Jack Neely for the 33-year-old Leiter, whose father pitched in eight games for the Yankees as a rookie in 1990.
Additionally, his uncle Al began his 19-year major league career pitching in parts of three seasons for the Yankees in the late 1980s.
Leiter had stints with the Phillies and Blue Jays before finding a spot with the Cubs at the start of the 2022 season. Over the past three years, the right-hander has established himself as one of Chicago’s most reliable arms in the late innings of games.
The Yankees have been on the hunt for a swing-and-miss specialist, and Leiter rates as one of the best. Leiter isn’t your typical strikeout artist (his sinker, his hardest pitch, averages 91.3 mph), but he ranks in the 98th percentile with a 36.7 strikeout percentage. His 34.9 percent strikeout rate is tied for 12th in the majors among relievers with at least 30 innings pitched.
The 33-year-old right-hander was moved to the bullpen full-time in 2023 and posted a 3.50 ERA. This year, he is making $1.5 million via arbitration and has a 4.21 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 13 walks in 36.1 innings.
The Yankees are betting that underlying evidence will continue to produce the best results he has posted since coming off the disabled list on July 9. Leiter had a 5.34 ERA in 32 starts before being sidelined by a forearm injury on June 23. In seven games since his return, he has logged 7.2 innings with 14 strikeouts and no walks.
He will bolster a bullpen that is off to a strong start but ranks 22nd in ERA since June 1. All-Star closer Clay Holmes, in particular, has struggled of late, posting a 6.08 ERA and allowing runs in six of his past 13 outings dating to June 13.
New York has traded five prospects in recent days after trading three to the Miami Marlins for infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.
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