On Tuesday, the New York Yankees made a move to improve their bullpen. They acquired right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs.
Leiter Jr. is the son of former Major Leaguer Mark Leiter and related to former World Series Champion Al Leiter, of course. Al played for the New York Yankees on two separate occasions.
The Yankees dealt prospects Ben Ben Cowles and Jack Neely, an infielder and right-handed reliever, to the Cubs. ESPN’s Jeff Passan had the news.
Trade news: The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a trade that will send right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. to the Yankees and infielder Ben Cowles and right-handed reliever Jack Neely to the Cubs, sources tell me and @kileymcd.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2024
Leiter Jr. has improved his swinging-strike percentage every year he’s been in the Majors. That’s a positive sign for the Yankees, who’ve been in need of help in their bullpen lately. Yankees relievers own a 4.11 ERA, which ranks 18th in MLB. New York is trying to reach the World Series for the first time since 2009 this year, and the hope is Leiter Jr. is one of the pieces the team needs to get back on top.
The MLB world buzzed about the big Yankees trade on Tuesday afternoon.
Neely is an interesting RHRP prospect who only throws 2 pitches, but both are plus. He’s also 6’8 and can touch 98. Only two pitches, but both pitches look plus. Could see him in the bullpen this year-he has a 36 K% across AA and AAA this year 👀 https://t.co/yZ9ivI6FZK pic.twitter.com/LMhrE9VDtO
— Jake Russell (@jrussl06) July 30, 2024
I like this return. Cowles is 24 in AA, but does look to have figured something out this year with a .294/.376/.472 9HR and a 141 wRC+ in 378 PA. Neely’s also 24 and the K/BB ratios look solid at AAA. Solid trade for Leiter, who I’ll miss. https://t.co/0dbUxA3oIK
— Sara Sanchez (@BCB_Sara) July 30, 2024
Reliever with nasty swing and miss stuff ✅
Not a hefty package for said reliever ✅ https://t.co/0PxeqHqqJz— Kev (@klew24) July 30, 2024
For the first time in almost 20 years, a Leiter is back in the Bronx. https://t.co/rmtVgl2wI2
— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) July 30, 2024
