The Yankees may have landed their top free agent in Gerrit Cole, but if you think they're done looking to improve their 2020 roster, then you don't know GM Brian Cashman.
Cashman has noted that maybe shoring up the bullpen some more would be in the cards, and that's exactly what he's doing in his reported calls to the Brewers on LHP Josh Hader. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Yanks "have been the most active pursuer of Hader."
Rosenthal says, though, that a deal with anyone would be unlikely. Hader is one of the game's best, young relievers with a career 2.42 ERA over 204.2 innings over three seasons in Milwaukee, and had 37 saves in his first full season as the team's closer last year. He's only 25 years old and under team control for the next four seasons, which is why -- according to Rosenthal -- the Brewers want a top prospect in any trade package.
Would Cashman be willing to go the extra mile to make it happen? The Brewers did make him available two weeks ago, so they'd be open to being wowed in a potential deal. But the Yankees are still pretty set in their pen, with Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton and Adam Ottavino stacked up on their back end.
Manager Aaron Boone also suggested on Wednesday that he is content with the bullpen he has now, which is why many believe Dellin Betances won't be returning as a Yankee. Hader isn't Betances, though, in that he doesn't have the injury history and has shown dominance throughout his early career.
It's worth keeping on the radar, as an addition of Hader would not only solidify the Yankees having the best bullpen on paper in the league, but boost their chances to win the World Series even higher than they were when the Cole signing was announced.