The New York Yankees have acquired right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for two prospects. Leiter Jr. is the son of former Yankees pitcher Mark Leiter and the grandson of former Yankees pitcher Al Leiter.
The New York Yankees have acquired right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for two prospects: infielder Matt Wieters and outfielder Darius Hill.
Leiter Jr., 31, is the son of former Yankees pitcher Mark Leiter and the grandson of former Yankees pitcher Al Leiter. He has pitched in the major leagues for five seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cubs.
New York Yankees Acquire Mark Leiter Jr. from Chicago Cubs
In 2022, Leiter Jr. appeared in 60 games for the Cubs, posting a 3.42 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched. He held opponents to a .222 batting average and a .631 OPS.
Leiter Jr. is a sinkerballer who relies on his fastball and changeup. He also has a developing cutter.
The Yankees are expected to use Leiter Jr. as a middle reliever. He will join a bullpen that includes Aroldis Chapman, Clay Holmes, Lucas Luetge, and Jonathan Loaisiga.
The prospects that the Yankees sent to the Cubs are both former first-round draft picks. Wieters, 23, was drafted 12th overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2016. He is a switch-hitting infielder who has played primarily at shortstop in the minor leagues.
Hill, 25, was drafted 22nd overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016. He is a left-handed outfielder who has shown power and speed in the minor leagues.
Leiter Jr. is a welcome addition to the Yankees bullpen. He is a durable and effective reliever who has a track record of success in the major leagues. He should help the Yankees improve their bullpen depth and compete for a World Series title in 2023.
