Yankees Prioritize Bullpen Retention With Free Agency Looming for Key Relievers
General manager Brian Cashman has identified the bullpen as the top offseason priority for the New York Yankees, with multiple key relievers entering free agency.
⚾MLBPhoto: MLB Trade Rumors
Key points
- Yankees name bullpen as main offseason priority
- Closer David Bednar receives a qualifying offer
- Team interested in retaining free agents Tim Hill and Paul Blackburn
Following a campaign where they boasted the second-best bullpen ERA in the league, the New York Yankees are facing a busy offseason to preserve their relief corps. General manager Brian Cashman recently noted on MLB Network Radio that addressing the bullpen stands as the organization's primary focus.
The club has already extended a qualifying offer to closer David Bednar, though he is widely expected to reject it after a stellar first full season anchoring the ninth inning. Meanwhile, the Yankees are actively pursuing reunions with free-agent relievers Tim Hill and Paul Blackburn. While Hill has drawn interest from several other major league clubs including the Mets, Dodgers, Cardinals, Guardians, and Giants, Blackburn is coming off an exceptional 2026 season where he posted a 1.59 ERA across 85 innings.
Blackburn initially joined the organization in 2025 and returned last winter on a modest one-year, $2 million contract. Having successfully rebuilt his value, he is projected to command a multi-year commitment this time around.
Source MLB Trade Rumors — mlbtraderumors.com/2026/11/yankees-notes-bullpen-morejon-coaches.ht… ↗
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