REPORT: Yankees Showing Real Interest In Michael Kopech.

Julian Guilarte just dropped a nugget that the Yankees have interest in free agent reliever Michael Kopech. Yes. That Michael Kopech. The fireballer who used to touch triple digits. The once untouchable Red Sox prospect. The kid from Texas who threw harder than half the league at age 22. The same guy who won a World Series with the Dodgers in 2024 after being rescued from the nightmare White Sox rebuild.

Before the “he walks too many” crowd runs in here crying, relax. Take a deep breath. The Yankees are not looking for a choir boy. They are looking for weapons. They are looking for arms that intimidate hitters. Kopech, even with the control issues, is a weapon if you use him correctly. This is the type of signing that Cashman has turned into gold before. Think Clay Holmes. Think Ian Hamilton. Think the bullpen reclamation magic that hits more often than it misses.

I’m hearing that the Yankees have interest in free agent reliever Michael Kopech.

— Julian Guilarte (@JulianGuilarte1) December 10, 2025

Who Is Michael Kopech Today? 

Let us get into it. Michael Kopech is 29 years old. Texas born. Former first round pick by Boston back in 2014. The hype was real from day one. Electric fastball. Violent slider. A delivery that looked like it was built in a lab. Every scout called him the next big power arm in baseball. The Red Sox loved him. Fans wanted him protected. And then Boston shipped him to Chicago in the Chris Sale blockbuster. Kopech and Yoan Moncada for Sale. One of the biggest prospect hauls in the last ten years.

Kopech hit the majors in 2018. Flashes of greatness. Flashes of wildness. Then injuries. Then setbacks. The whole roller coaster. But even with the chaos, the stuff was always there. You do not throw 97 consistently by accident. You do not strike out 103 in 69 innings in 2021 if you are some random middle reliever. His talent never disappeared. His health did.

Then The Dodgers Happened. The Wake Up Call.

The White Sox did what the White Sox do. Mismanage. Rush. Confuse roles. Start. Relieve. Start again. Injuries. More confusion. Then 2024 hit and Los Angeles called. Kopech got to a real organization and everything changed overnight.

With the Dodgers he was a monster. A straight up monster. A 1.13 ERA in 24 innings. A .118 opponent batting average. Nine saves. Four wins. High leverage usage. He became a go to arm for a team that went all the way and won the World Series. In the postseason he was even better. Ten games. Ten strikeouts. A 3.00 ERA. He finally tasted winning at the highest level.

2025 Injuries Hurt His Stock. But Not His Ceiling.

Let us keep it real. His 2025 season was messy on paper. Only 11 innings. A 2.45 ERA but the walk rate was insane. A ridiculous 24.5 percent walk rate. Thirteen walks in eleven innings. That is not ideal. But here is the key. His knee and arm were not fully right. He started the year on the IL. Came back for a short stretch. Looked dominant in eight scoreless outings. Then got hurt again. Shut down.

This is not a declining pitcher. This is an injured pitcher. There is a difference. Big difference. When he is healthy the numbers show what he can be.

• Fastball averages 96 to 98 when fully right
• Slider has wipeout potential
• Athletic delivery and elite arm speed
• Career 10 strikeouts per 9 innings
• Career WHIP of 1.32 across six seasons

Why Would The Yankees Want Him?

Because this is exactly the type of reliever the Yankees love to fix. A power arm that lost his way. A guy with elite velocity but broken command. A pitcher who needs structure. Who needs the Matt Blake bullpen lab. Who needs the Yankees pitch design system that turned nobodies into closers.

You want upside? This is upside. You want a bargain signing with massive boom potential? This is it. The Yankees cannot keep relying only on finesse arms. They need fire. They need swing and miss. They need intimidation. Kopech brings that if he is at 85 percent health.

The Yankees Lost Multiple Relievers. They Need To Reload.

This bullpen is losing innings. Losing arms. Others shaky. The Yankees do not have the luxury of ignoring the relief market. Kopech is not the only option but he is one of the most interesting ones. And remember this. The market knows his potential. The Dodgers wanted him back before injuries hit. Other contenders will check in. The Yankees showing interest means they are serious about adding a power reliever.

My Verdict: You Take The Gamble If The Price Is Right.

This is the type of move that can look genius in August. Or forgotten by July. But if I am Cashman this is the exact profile I target. High risk with high upside. A real chance to steal a reliever who could give you postseason innings if fully healthy. Yankee Stadium loves power stuff. Fans love fire. Kopech brings both.

Do I think this is real? Yes. Julian does not just throw random names out there. He heard something. And Kopech fits the mold of exactly what the Yankees are targeting this winter.

If Kopech lands in the Bronx and gets right mentally and physically, he could become one of the biggest low cost steals of the offseason.