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Yankees urged to acquire Adrian Morejon

The New York Yankees will likely look to add some help to the bullpen before the trade deadline.

New York has expectations of competing for a World Series this year, but the bullpen has been an issue. The backend of the bullpen has been stellar, but outside of three to four relievers, it’s been a revolving door, so the Yankees could look to add another high-leverage reliever.

With that, Yankees analyst Devon Platana of SI urges New York to acquire Adrian Morejon from the San Diego Padres.

“Although the starting rotation has been one of the Yankees’ strengths this season, the same can’t be said about their bullpen,” Platana wrote. “Interestingly enough, the opposite is true for the San Diego Padres. If they’re looking to bolster their starting situation, a trade with the Yankees involving Adrian Morejon makes a ton of sense. …

” He will be an unrestricted free agent in the winter. Which could also lower the Padres’ asking price if they’re worried about losing him for nothing. They could be even more willing to make a deal if the Yankees dangle a starting arm—like Luis Gil—in return, which is a legitimate possibility as Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole could return from injury before May is over.”

Morejon is an elite reliever who has struggled this season, so San Diego could look to trade him to get an asset back. Gil’s future in New York is up in the air, so a swap does make sense for both sides.

Morejon is 2-0 with a 6.39 ERA in 11 games this season, but last year he was 13-6 with a 2.08 ERA and was an All-Star.

Yankees Bullpen an Issue

New York’s bullpen was an issue last season, and the Yankees overhauled the unit at the trade deadline.

New York acquired David Bednar and Camillo Doval, among other relievers, at the deadline, and the Yankees could make more trades this year. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said in spring training that relievers is always a volatile market.

“It’s a volatile market in general,” Blake said in spring training. “You see a lot of (teams) that spend high dollars on relievers, and it doesn’t always pan out. You can find some under-the-radar guys with good stuff that haven’t gotten opportunities, or maybe you change something about the way they’ve been operating, and you catch lightning in a bottle.”

New York’s bullpen has five solid options in Bednar, Doval, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, and Brent Headrick. But, outside of that, it’s been a revolving door, which is why the Yankees could look to acquire Morejon to bolster the bullpen.

New York Sweeps Boston

The Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in a mid-week series.

New York was led by Cam Schlittler, who was dominant on Thursday to help the Yankees get a huge sweep.

“It was good. I don’t think the emotions were too high,” Schlittler said. “It was a fun experience to come here, just growing up around here and being able to go throw. It was a great experience. I’m just glad the boys got the sweep.”

The Yankees are off to a 16-9 start and are atop the AL East.