The New York Yankees front office has been working overtime as the MLB trade deadline looms, already making significant moves to bolster their infield with the acquisitions of Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario. While those trades addressed critical needs on the diamond, the bullpen has remained a glaring area for improvement. Now, a new report suggests the Yankees have zeroed in on a surprising target to reinforce their pitching staff.

According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, the Yankees are actively scouting Colorado Rockies right-handed reliever Jake Bird. Citing league sources, Kuty revealed that Bird is a prominent name on New York’s ever-expanding list of potential trade candidates. The interest isn't just coming from the front office; it appears Bird made a significant impact on the players themselves.

In a revealing detail, Kuty noted that several Yankees players were left “impressed” with Bird after facing him in two appearances during a series in Colorado back in late May. When your own hitters take notice of an opponent's stuff, it’s a clear signal to management that a player might be a valuable asset.

The 29-year-old reliever boasts the kind of high-octane arm the Yankees desperately covet. His most compelling statistic is an elite strikeout rate, averaging an impressive 10.5 punchouts per nine innings. That ability to miss bats is a premium commodity for any team with championship aspirations, and it could provide a major boost to the middle innings for the Bronx Bombers.

While his 4.05 ERA might not immediately jump off the page, the underlying metrics, particularly his strikeout potential, are what make him an intriguing project for the Yankees' renowned pitching coaches. With the infield secured, all eyes are now on General Manager Brian Cashman to see if he can pull the trigger on a deal for a power arm like Bird. As the clock ticks toward the July 31st deadline, adding a reliever who has already earned the respect of their own lineup could be the final piece of the puzzle for a deep postseason run.