As the offseason nears its end and Spring Training approaches, the New York Yankees are putting the finishing touches on their roster. While the winter didn’t start off on the best note, it has turned into a successful one for the team, especially when looking at their offseason moves on paper. Although losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets was a tough blow, the Yankees quickly adapted and have assembled a more balanced team for the upcoming season.
Heading into the new campaign, the Yankees have made significant strides in improving their bullpen, which was a key area of focus this offseason. The most notable move was the acquisition of Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers, a move that brought a star closer to New York’s bullpen. Williams’ arrival provides the Yankees with a high-caliber pitcher at the back end of their bullpen—something they have been in search of recently. However, while having a top-tier closer is crucial, it’s just as important to have reliable pitchers who can get the ball to him with a lead.
Recently, the Yankees took another step in strengthening their bullpen by re-signing left-handed reliever Tim Hill. Hill was a solid contributor in the second half of the previous season, and bringing him back was a smart decision. Although adding a left-handed pitcher like Hill was necessary, the Yankees might not be finished improving their bullpen just yet.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report has speculated that the Yankees could continue to bolster their bullpen by signing another left-handed reliever, Matt Moore. While the Yankees’ bullpen is already improved with Hill, adding another southpaw could further solidify it. Moore, a former starter who transitioned into a reliever in recent years, initially thrived in his new role, putting together strong seasons in 2022 and 2023. However, his 2024 campaign with the Los Angeles Angels was less successful, as he posted a 5.03 ERA and struggled to keep the ball in the park.
Despite the rough season, Moore’s performance in 2024 showed an interesting discrepancy between his home and road outings. At home, he posted an impressive 2.67 ERA, but his road ERA soared to 8.02, which suggests that there might be potential for improvement if his home success could be replicated on the road.
Though adding another left-handed pitcher may not be a pressing need for the Yankees, it could be a valuable addition. Given Moore’s underwhelming season, he would likely be an affordable option for the team, which didn’t break the bank to re-sign Hill. If the Yankees can help Moore find consistency on the road and harness the effectiveness he showed at home, he could prove to be a valuable asset to their bullpen.
