MLB trade rumors: Yankees targeting impact lefty reliever?

The Yankees could use prospects to bolster an already dominant bullpen.

One of the biggest strengths of the 2018 Yankees could get even stronger before the July 31 trade deadline.

According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, San Diego Padres lefty Brad Hand is being whispered about in the industry as a possible Yankees trade target. Yes, another relief star to add to a bullpen that already boasts Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, David Robertson and Chad Green.

The Yankees have the most power of any team in baseball, with arguably the best and deepest bullpen in the game. However, their one glaring need is in their starting rotation where they could use a No. 2-type starter after ace Luis Severino at the top of their rotation. Cole Hamels, Michael Fulmer, Brad Hand and Chris Archer are already names being bandied in the industry as possible targets.

With Archer on the disabled list (and struggling before a groin injury), Hamels’ peripheral stats screaming regression and Fulmer’s poor season, the starting pitching market is far from great right now.

That could lead the Yankees down a more appealing way to improve: Add a really dominant arm in the form of a reliever, shortening the game even more for every starter outside of Severino.

Hand, 28, entered play on June 5 with a 2.15 ERA across 27 appearances this season for the Padres. That ERA has been achieved through strikeout dominance (13.8 per nine innings), making the southpaw a natural fit for a Yankees bullpen that specializes in mowing down opponents with swings and misses.

Hand’s 2018 success isn’t a fluke or out-of-nowhere performance. Since the start of 2016, Hand owns a 2.50 ERA and struck out 11.8 batters per nine innings. We’re talking about one of baseball’s best relievers.

If the Yankees land Hand, they will own him a little bit over $14M across 2019-2020, and hold a $10M team option on his contract for 2021.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.