The Yankees have some serious work to do in the bullpen this offseason, as six of their ten outgoing free agents are relievers. Michael Fulmer, John Schreiber, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, David Bednar, and Paul Blackburn are all on the market after their respective deals expired.
The Yankees want to bring back closer David Bednar, as they recently extended him the $23.15 million qualifying offer. Even if he rejects it, the Bronx Bombers are expected to offer a multi-year contract to retain him. Beyond Bednar, though, the team’s plans have remained uncertain.
However, new details have emerged regarding the Yankees’ bullpen plans this winter, and longtime General Manager Brian Cashman and company may be interested in retaining three of their outgoing relievers.
Paul Blackburn
When Paul Blackburn was handed a one-year, $2 million deal last December, Yankees fans groaned. Many coined it a “garbage bin” buy and viewed it as a decision that did little to move the needle. How wrong those fans were.
The 32-year-old turned out to be arguably the best $2 million the Yankees ever spent, as he was an absolute revelation in pinstripes this year. He posted a 1.59 ERA across 62 appearances and 85 innings, establishing himself as one of the game’s premier setup men.
He firmly cemented himself in the center of Aaron Boone’s circle of trust, as he was heavily relied upon throughout the season. He limited opposing hitters to a .195 batting average and posted a WHIP just above 1.00, showing that his success was no mere accident.
The Yankees understandably want to keep him around, as Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reported yesterday that there is “strong interest” in bringing Blackburn back to the Bronx. It remains to be seen how his contract demands will shake out after a career year. It’s not unreasonable to assume he may seek a deal similar to Luke Weaver’s two-year, $22 million contract from last winter.
Ryan Yarbrough
The Yankees have also checked in with Ryan Yarbrough about a potential reunion. The 34-year-old southpaw had a solid season in the Bronx, proving to be the team’s resident long reliever. He tossed 63.1 innings across 38 appearances, posting a 3.69 ERA.
Yarbrough’s contract situation is much more predictable than Blackburn’s, as he will likely sign another deal similar to the one-year, $2.5 million contract he had this past season.
The funky lefty is a valuable piece to any bullpen, as he can provide innings when needed while also pitching in leverage situations. A veteran Swiss Army Knife like that is incredibly desirable, no matter how unglamorous his role may be.
Especially given the Yankees’ lack of premium left-handed relievers, retaining Yarbrough may be a much more important task than many believe.
Tim Hill
Speaking of lefties, the final name is the Yankees’ resident lefty specialist, Tim Hill. Gary Phillips reports that there is “some interest” in bringing back the 36-year-old, despite a step back in production this season.
After two incredibly effective seasons with the Yankees in 2024 and 2025, Hill’s numbers declined sharply this year. He posted a 4.60 ERA in 67 appearances, struggling with the long ball. The 12 home runs he surrendered were by far the most he had given up in any season, a concerning sign.
The most damning statistic, though, was his diminished success against left-handed hitters. His calling card has always been his ability to neutralize lefties, but their batting average against him jumped by more than 30 points from 2025 to this season.
Even with those struggles, Tim Hill is still the type of pitcher the Yankees like. He gets the ball on the ground at an elite rate and offers a unique left-handed arm angle. If they believe the veteran still has something left to give, it’s easy to see him returning on a cheap contract. Given the number of relievers the Yankees are losing this winter, combined with Fernando Cruz’s long-term injury, they’re going to need arms.
End Of My Yankees Rant
The bullpen will be an area for Yankees fans to keep an eye on this offseason. With so many names coming off the books, the only sure thing for 2027 is the presence of Brent Headrick. Bringing back David Bednar seems to be a top priority, while Adrian Morejon is another name the Yankees brass has been throwing around. Paul Blackburn also has the fanbase’s backing, which has been vocal about wanting to retain him.
Even with Carlos Lagrange seemingly locked in for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, as well as Clarke Schmidt and Will Warren potentially being relegated to relief roles, the unit still needs a lot of work. The Yankees may well retain all three of Blackburn, Yarbrough, and Hill. With the lockout approaching on December 1, Yankees fans may have their answers sooner rather than later.
