The New York Yankees' Trade Deadline moves did not pay off on Friday.
MLB Fans Are Laughing at Yankees After New-Look Bullpen Implodes in First Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Yankees used Thursday's MLB Trade Deadline to transform their bullpen, but what happened on Friday was not their vision. All three of their new relievers got shelled, and they lost 13-12 to the Miami Marlins.
The Yankees entered the bottom of the seventh with a 9-4 lead, partially thanks to three-run homers by Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham. Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon finished with four runs allowed in 4.2 innings, but Jonathan Loaisiga and Brent Headrick combined for 1.1 scoreless frames after that.
Then came the meltdown. New York brought in Jake Bird in the seventh, whom it acquired from the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. The right-hander allowed four runs in just 0.1 innings before fellow newcomer David Bednar coughed up two runs in 1.2 frames. The Yankees got the latter hurler from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
New York came into the bottom of the ninth with a 12-10 lead and brought in Camilo Doval, whom it acquired from the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. The right-hander blew the save in part because he was sabotaged by fellow Trade Deadline acquisition José Caballero, who let a routine ground ball pass him in right field. Doval allowed three runs, with one earned.
MLB fans on social media laughed at the Yankees after their 13-12 loss.
"Yankees fans said they won the deadline, tho?" one asked.
"[Crying emojis] Let [Brian] Cashman cook, they said," another remarked.
"Some people said this was the best pen of all time [laughing emojis]," another said.
"You could pitch position players and they would have a better stat line," another said.
"I was told they had the best bullpen in the majors," another said.
Camilo Doval, David Bednar, Jake Bird in Yankees debuts:
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 2, 2025
2.1 IP
9 ER
10 H
3 BB
Bird entered with a 9-4 lead in the 7th inning
Poor Timing for Yankees’ Blown Game
This was the type of game that New York can't afford to lose at this point in the season. After blowing multiple leads against a middling Miami team, it's now just a half-game ahead of the Boston Red Sox for the AL's top Wild Card spot. It's also 3.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East.
On the other hand, there is reason for optimism. For example, Doval still has a 3.26 ERA over 48 appearances this season despite Friday's meltdown, although it was his fifth blown save out of 20 chances. Bednar also has a 2.72 ERA in 42 outings after the loss.
Bird's numbers inspire less confidence, as he now has a 5.37 ERA in 45 games pitched. However, with 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil (lat) as well as relievers Mark Leiter Jr. (fibula), Fernando Cruz (oblique), and Ryan Yarbrough (oblique) all returning over the next few weeks, the Yankees will have plenty of pitching options moving forward.
Related: Aaron Boone Makes Feelings on Marcus Stroman Clear After Release From Yankees
Related: Devin Williams Addresses Trade After Yankees Make Decision on His Role
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
