Could the New York Yankees complete this significant trade before the start of the MLB season?
Outside of pitcher Ryan Weathers, the New York Yankees have not made any significant additions during the offseason. But that could still change.
Yes, Spring Training is underway, but that does not mean moves cannot still be made, and one trade candidate that could be of significant interest to the Yankees has emerged: Tampa Bay Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has reported that Cleavinger has been drawing trade interest, and Bleacher Report's Zach Bachar has named New York as a potential landing spot for the left-hander.
Cleavinger would certainly represent a terrific acquisition for a Yankees squad that could still use another arm in its bullpen after losing both Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to free agency.
Last season, Cleavinger made 67 relief appearances for the Rays, logging a 2.35 ERA while allowing 40 hits and racking up 82 strikeouts over 61.1 inning of work.
The 31-year-old has pitched for three teams since entering the big leagues in 2020, also spending time with the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Garrett Cleavinger. Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images.Throughout his major-league tenure, Cleavinger has pitched to the tune of a 3.19 ERA while registering 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Command has historically been an issue for Cleavinger, but he seemed to get that under control last year when he walked just 2.6 batters per nine innings.
Not so surprisingly, 2025 marks Cleavinger's best season to date.
The Yankees have been on the hunt for relief help over the last several weeks and did land right-hander Angel Chivilli in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.
However, Chivilli owns a lifetime 6.18 ERA across two big-league campaigns, so it would certainly behoove New York to ad another reliever.
The problem here would be the potential cost.
Cleavinger is under team control through 2027, so Tampa Bay does not have to move him now. Not only that, but with the Yanks being an AL East rival, the Rays would almost surely ask more from them than another club.
It's also important to remember that Tampa Bay cut ties with Pete Fairbanks after 2025, so it may wish to hold on to Cleavinger at least through the trade deadline.
Nevertheless, the Yankees may want to check in with the Rays regardless.
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