Jim Bowden says Yankees must trade for pitching to close gap on Blue Jays originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Jim Bowden isn’t buying the idea that the Yankees are done.

The former MLB general manager, now a host on MLB Network Radio’s “The Front Office”, was blunt on Saturday when talking about what still needs to happen in the Bronx before the trade deadline.

“I am not catching Toronto if I can’t improve my pitching staff—and that includes my bullpen,” Bowden said.

He believes Brian Cashman already took care of the offensive side with the addition of Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario. Now it’s about filling out the rotation and locking down late innings.

“I expect Brian Cashman to get a starter and a reliever before Thursday,” Bowden added.

It’s not just about wish lists anymore. This is about staying afloat. The Yankees’ bullpen has been battered lately, the rotation is hanging on with duct tape, and Toronto is expanding it’s lead in the American League East. 

The bullpen has been a mess.

The Yankees enter the week with a 4.32 bullpen ERA, which ranks 23rd in Major League Baseball. That number has ballooned lately. Yankees relievers have posted a 6.16 ERA in July, one of the worst marks in the league over that stretch. Since June 1, the bullpen ERA sits around 5.20. The Yankees are giving away leads and digging holes late in games, and it’s happening way too often for a team trying to stay in the playoff picture.

Bowden didn’t specify names that would help.  Impact arms would be ideal for the Yankees to add, but even solid back-end depth and a reliable high-leverage reliever would check the box.

The Yankees have made their infield move. That part’s done. Now comes the hard part—finding quality pitching in a thin market, without selling off their top-tier prospects.

There’s still time before Thursday’s deadline. But if Bowden’s read is right, and remember he worked for Cashman, the Yankees GM isn’t finished yet.

And if the Yankees want to catch Toronto, he can’t be.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.