In a significant pre-deadline maneuver, the New York Yankees have strategically acquired relief pitcher Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies, a move aimed at fortifying their beleaguered bullpen as the season progresses. This transaction marks the Yankees’ fifth trade in days, underscoring their aggressive approach to bolster their roster and enhance their chances for a deep postseason run.
Jake Bird, a 29-year-old right-hander, joins the Yankees after tossing 53.1 innings for Colorado this year, where his traditional 4.73 ERA belies a more impressive underlying performance. Advanced metrics paint a far more optimistic picture of his capabilities, with a 3.46 xFIP and a 3.59 xERA, indicating a pitcher whose true talent surpasses his surface-level statistics. His career-best 26.3% strikeout rate highlights his potential to become a valuable late-inning option for manager Aaron Boone.
The acquisition of Bird provides the Yankees with another crucial arm for their suddenly crowded bullpen mix, a unit that has faced considerable challenges throughout the current campaign. This strategic injection of talent, following closely on the heels of other recent trades, demonstrates the Yankees’ commitment to addressing their pitching needs and solidifying their relief corps ahead of the critical stretch run.
In exchange for Bird, the Rockies received two promising prospects from the Yankees’ system, starting with second baseman Roc Riggio. Riggio, a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft out of Oklahoma State, was in the midst of a breakout 2025 season, splitting time between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. His performance this year has marked a significant improvement after an inconsistent couple of seasons since his professional debut.
Scouts hold varying opinions on Riggio’s newfound power, with some envisioning him as a potential bench player capable of occasional home runs. While his raw strength is undeniable, concerns persist regarding his mechanics, which often leave him vulnerable against off-speed pitches and prone to pulling the ball. Furthermore, his defensive skills at second base are considered rough, suggesting a potential future position change. Riggio was ranked as the Yankees’ No. 22 prospect, indicating his significant value in the organization.
The second prospect heading to Colorado is left-handed pitcher Ben Shields, who signed with the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 2023 after his collegiate career at George Mason. Shields quickly made strides in his development, notably adding several ticks to his fastball velocity and integrating a sweeper into his diverse pitch arsenal, which already included a slider, curveball, and splitter.
Shields returned from a 60-day injured list stint on June 28th and has spent the majority of his season at Double-A Somerset. His fastball consistently sits around 92 mph, occasionally touching 95 mph, showcasing the velocity that makes him an intriguing long-term prospect for the Rockies. His diverse pitch mix and recent velocity gains suggest he could develop into a valuable asset for Colorado’s pitching staff in the coming years.
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