Yankees trade failure finally shows flashes of quality

At the late July trade deadline, the Yankees made three key acquisitions designed to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run. While the addition of Jazz Chisholm proved to be a great success, especially with his contributions at third base and in the bullpen, their bullpen signings were less fortunate.

Bullpen Bust: Enyel De Los Santos

One of the two bullpen additions, Enyel De Los Santos, has already been released after several months of poor performance, a move that underscored the challenges the Yankees have faced in bolstering their reliever this season.

Mark Leiter Jr.: Struggles and Potential

The other bullpen addition, Mark Leiter Jr., wasn’t much better overall, but he’s starting to show signs of improvement. Before being traded from the Chicago Cubs, Leiter threw 36.1 innings with a 4.21 ERA, but his underlying numbers suggested untapped potential. The Yankees had hoped to capitalize on those numbers, but Leiter’s performance since joining the team has been disappointing.

In 19 innings with the Yankees, Leiter posted a 5.68 ERA while allowing 2.84 runs per nine innings — unsustainable numbers for a reliable reliever. Despite those struggles, his strikeout rate remained impressive, with 12.79 strikeouts per nine innings. However, his groundball percentage has dropped more than 10 percent since the trade, which has contributed to his struggles on the mound.

Analysis of basic indicators

Despite his overall decline, Leiter’s advanced metrics remain promising. He ranks in the 96th percentile in chase rate, the 97th percentile in whiff rate, and the 95th percentile in strikeout rate. Leiter obviously has the tools to be an asset to the Yankees, but his primary challenge is pitch location, which has resulted in heavy contact with opposing batters.

One glaring issue was his sinker, which became a liability. That pitch allowed for a .394 batting average and a .620 slugging percentage while averaging just 91.5 mph. His split-finger fastball and curveball, on the other hand, were much more effective, showing an elite level of efficiency. The Yankees noticed and are adjusting the way he uses his pitch.

Yankees adjust approach: lighten burden

Since joining the Yankees, Leiter’s sinker usage has declined significantly. He threw the sinker only 13.7 percent of the time in September, down from 31.9 percent in August. Instead, the Yankees encouraged him to rely more on his split-finger fastball and curveball, which were dominant.

In a recent game against the Oakland Athletics, Leiter threw 27 balls, only four of which were sinkers. Instead, he focused heavily on his split-finger fastball (11 balls) and curveball (seven balls), as well as a few cutters and sweepers. The result? Three strikeouts in two innings in which he was nearly untouchable. That change in approach could be the key to unlocking Leiter’s full potential.

Maximizing Leiter’s Potential

At 33, the Yankees have control of Leiter until 2027, when Leiter will be a free agent, giving them plenty of time to optimize his production. While Leiter isn’t a high-velocity pitcher, his ability to generate movement on his pitches makes him a valuable asset if utilized correctly. The Yankees’ recent changes to his pitching mix could be key to maximizing his effectiveness and turning him into a reliable bullpen pitcher.

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Work in progress

While the Yankees’ bullpen acquisitions have yielded mixed results, Mark Leiter Jr. still has hopes of turning things around. By reducing his reliance on the slugger and focusing on his best pitching, the Yankees may have found a recipe for success. As the postseason approaches, the team will need Leiter to continue to improve if it wants to make a deep playoff run.