The New York Yankees are expected to be vigilant buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline, keeping an eye on the market for relief pitchers.
It would behoove the Yankees to acquire a pitcher with swing-and-miss stuff considering their lack of strikeout prowess this season.
In pairing the top contenders with potential additions at the July 30 deadline, ESPN's Jeff Passan could see the Yankees acquiring Marlins closer Tanner Scott.
"He could be a dominant left-handed reliever for a team without one, and while his walks this season are alarming, the Marlins' 29-year-old closer has worked around them to the tune of a 1.64 ERA," Passan wrote.
The Yankees have been linked to several stars and sluggers, especially at first base. But Passan feels the Yankees are more suited to address the need in the bullpen.
While closer Clay Holmes would likely keep his role in what has been a strong season thus far, the Yankees don't have a left-handed reliever they can rely on.
The void that Wandy Peralta left in free agency hasn't been filled, but Scott could easily become a part of a fantastic late-innings tandem with Holmes.
Scott relies mostly on a four-seam fastball that averaged 96.6 mph and a slider that has a 40.5% whiff rate. His 83.5 mph average exit velocity is in the 100th percentile, and his 31.7% overall whiff rate could be just what the Yankees need from the left side.
The walks are concerning given he has 23 in 34 innings pitched this season. But the rest of his profile is intriguing as a potential fit for the bullpen.
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