NEW YORK — According to sources, and first reported by The Athletic, the New York Yankees have expressed interest in acquiring right-handed reliever Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies ahead of the trade deadline.

Bird, 29, has quietly emerged as a valuable bullpen option for Colorado despite pitching in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field. Over 53.1 innings this season, he’s posted a 4.05 ERA, but more impressively, he owns a 3.09 FIP — suggesting his performance has been better than the surface-level stats indicate. He’s striking out batters at a strong 26.7% clip, and his underlying metrics reflect a profile that could thrive in a more pitcher-friendly environment like Yankee Stadium.

Known for his heavy sinker and ability to generate ground balls, Bird offers the kind of middle relief versatility the Yankees’ bullpen has been missing due to injuries and inconsistency in recent weeks. With New York aiming to shore up their pitching depth for a postseason push, Bird could be a cost-effective, controllable addition with upside. He’s under team control through 2028, which adds to his appeal beyond a simple rental scenario.

While Colorado has yet to commit to a full-scale selloff, Bird’s name has surfaced as a potential trade chip — and with New York in active talks for bullpen arms, he’s a name to watch closely in the days leading up to the deadline.

(Top Image Credit: MLB.com)