The New York Yankees’ bullpen will be without Luke Weaver for an extended period of time. Their bullpen could become a focus near the trade deadline.
The Yankees originally traded for Devin Williams to be their closer. However, early struggles forced him out of that role in favor of Weaver. Now, Weaver is on the injured list and Williams is likely to get a chance at the closer’s role again. Even if Williams reclaims the role and Weaver returns to being a setup man, the Yankees could be in the market for a high-leverage arm.
Empire Sports Media’s Ryan Garcia suggested the Yankees could trade for Chris Martin of the Texas Rangers. Martin is in his 10th MLB season and played for the Yankees in 2015.
“A strike-thrower with a firm fastball and deep repertoire, Chris Martin would immediately provide the Yankees with a veteran who can handle high-leverage situations,” wrote Garcia. “He has a 1.83 ERA and 1.87 FIP across 19.2 innings, striking out 29.9% of batters faced with a 3.9% walk rate for a Texas Rangers team that has struggled to score runs in 2025. Martin provides the exact kind of profile that the bullpen needs, as it gives Aaron Boone a reliable veteran who will throw strikes and won’t put runners on unnecessarily.”
Martin won a World Series in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves. He has the experience to help the Yankees in October. This season, he has pitched in 22 games and has allowed just four earned runs. He would not be an overly expensive addition and would give the Yankees another weapon next to Williams and Weaver, assuming the former finds his All-Star form and the latter gets healthy.
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Martin would also serve as insurance if Weaver cannot return, or is not the same after his return, or if Williams continues to struggle when he returns.
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