The New York Yankees are already among MLB’s top teams, but one analyst believes they should make an additional move to further strengthen their bullpen. Despite acquiring Devin Williams to serve as their closer, Ryan Garcia of EmpireSportsMedia suggests another reinforcement is needed.
Garcia proposed a trade in which the Yankees would acquire left-handed reliever Andrew Nardi from the Miami Marlins in exchange for two prospects:
Yankees Acquire:
- Andrew Nardi (LHP)
Marlins Acquire:
- Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (RHP, Yankees’ 12th-ranked prospect)
- Rafael Flores (C/1B)
This deal would bring the Yankees a cost-effective left-handed reliever. Nardi is projected to earn $800,000 in 2025 before becoming arbitration-eligible in 2026. While his 2024 season with the Marlins included a 3-2 record and a 5.07 ERA across 59 appearances, his remaining team control and left-handed profile could make him a valuable addition to the Yankees’ bullpen.
The Marlins, in return, would receive two prospects. The centerpiece, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, is a 21-year-old right-hander who was acquired by the Yankees from the Red Sox this offseason. In 2024, he posted a 5-5 record with a 2.91 ERA over 89.2 innings in the minors, showcasing promise as a potential future starter.
Rafael Flores, the other piece in the deal, is a versatile catcher who also plays first base. At 24 years old, he spent last season in Double-A, where he hit .274 with 15 home runs and 33 RBIs in just 65 games. His power and positional flexibility could make him an appealing asset for Miami.
This trade would provide the Yankees with a cheap left-handed option for their bullpen while giving the Marlins two intriguing young players to bolster their farm system.
Analyst Details Nardi’s Fit With Yankees
Although Andrew Nardi posted a 5.07 ERA in 2024, analyst Ryan Garcia believes he would perform significantly better with the Yankees. Garcia argues that Nardi’s advanced metrics paint a more favorable picture than his surface-level statistics suggest and that he would likely thrive in a lower-leverage role in New York compared to his time with the Marlins.
“Last season Andrew Nardi posted a 5.07 ERA which would scare most Yankees fans off immediately,” Garcia wrote. “But relievers are more prone to randomness than other position groups because they participate in a small percentage of a team’s innings in a season. With a 2.76 xERA and 3.33 FIP, most underlying metrics believe that Nardi wasn’t much different than he was last year when he posted a 2.67 ERA. He just ran into some less fortunate luck and underperformed. The Yankees are more focused on how a pitcher manages contact and their K-BB%, not their ERA, and Nardi would fit them like a glove.”
Garcia further highlighted Nardi’s strong underlying performance:
- Over the past two seasons, Nardi ranks top-five among left-handed relievers in K% (strikeout percentage), K-BB% (strikeout-to-walk differential), and SIERA (Skill-Interactive ERA).
- While he has struggled with allowing home runs, his ability to limit damaging contact has kept his advanced metrics, like xERA (expected ERA), highly favorable.
Nardi debuted in MLB in 2022 after being selected in the 16th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. His development into a reliable strikeout pitcher with advanced command makes him a compelling target for the Yankees, especially if they prioritize metrics over traditional statistics like ERA. In New York, Nardi’s potential could be maximized in a bullpen that wouldn’t require him to consistently handle high-leverage situations.
Trade Would Free Up Payroll for New York
In addition to bolstering their bullpen, the Yankees would also save money with the acquisition of Andrew Nardi. Nardi would serve as a replacement for Tim Hill, allowing the Yankees to avoid re-signing Hill and freeing up financial resources.
“Since Andrew Nardi is pre-arbitration, they likely won’t receive a tax bill for him that exceeds the $1 million mark,” Garcia explained. “It serves as a win-win for the Yankees and Marlins.”
Nardi’s elite ability to generate weak contact while striking out a high number of batters would make him a valuable asset to the Yankees, especially considering his affordable salary. The Marlins, on the other hand, would receive two promising prospects in exchange, strengthening their future.
While it’s still unclear if Miami is willing to part with Nardi, Garcia believes the trade makes sense for both teams, with the Yankees improving their bullpen at a low cost and the Marlins adding impactful young players to their system.