The New York Yankees might already have their answer to their bullpen woes.
New York Yankees closer David Bednar has only blown a pair of saves this season, but that's just a perfect example of how saves — and blown saves — are an overrated stat.
Bednar has not been great in 2026. He has certainly been better lately, reducing an ERA that had previously been over 5.00 to 3.90, and he has not surrendered a run since May 18. So maybe he really is starting to put it together.
But he owns a 1.410 WHIP and 3.9 BB/9, making him a very uncomfortable watch in the ninth inning. The strikeout rate (10.7 K/9) is still good, but his near inability to make it through a frame without allowing a baserunner is frightening.
As of now, Bednar is the Yankees' closer, but New York has until the Aug. 3 trade deadline to find some reinforcements. You kind of get the feeling that Bednar will find himself in more of a setup role before season's end, and it would be surprising if the Yankees didn't add at least one or two relievers in the coming weeks.
But is there a chance that New York's ninth-inning solution is already on its roster?
Enter Fernando Cruz, who picked up his first save on Tuesday night by fanning four batters over 1.2 innings during a win over the Cleveland Guardians.
New York Yankees pitcher Fernando Cruz. Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images.Cruz has pitched to the tune of a 1.84 ERA this season, allowing just 19 hits while racking up 37 punchouts across 29.1 frames. Yes, walks can be a problem for the right-hander because of his splitter, which sometimes cannot find the strike zone. But he usually manages to pitch out of trouble.
In fact, Cruz owns an 87.3 LOB percentage, which ranks 16th among all big-league relievers. That's certainly impressive.
We also know that Cruz possesses the mentality to close. Nothing fazes him. He is a fiery competitor who takes his craft incredibly seriously, and that is exactly what you want from your ninth-inning man.
Now, would Cruz be risky in the final frame? Sure. Again, that 4.6 BB/9 is concerning, but when his splitter is working, he is nearly unhittable. He allowed just 6.2 hits per nine innings last year, and he is at 5.8 this season.
So while Cruz might walk some guys, he typically doesn't allow hard contact. On that subject, his soft contact rate is 24.2 percent, which is elite and ranks 13th among MLB relief pitchers. His hard contact rate? That comes in at 21.2 percent, which ranks 12th.
The 36-year-old has been one of the best relievers in baseball this season no matter how you slice it, and he deserves to be rewarded for it.
I'm not saying the Yankees should remove Bednar from the closer role now. He has been fine lately. But if he does start to struggle again, New York might seriously want to consider handing his duties over to Cruz.
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