Yankees Acquire Right-Handed Reliever Angel Chivilli from Rockies to Strengthen Bullpen

In a move aimed at fortifying their bullpen, the New York Yankees have made another offseason acquisition, adding right-handed relief pitcher Angel Chivilli from the Colorado Rockies. This trade is a strategic effort by the Yankees’ front office to address one of their most glaring weaknesses, as they continue to look for ways to compete in the competitive American League.

Chivilli, who made his major league debut with the Rockies in 2025, will join a Yankees bullpen that has been in desperate need of stability. The trade sends first baseman T.J. Rumfield to Colorado in exchange for Chivilli. Rumfield, who spent last season in the minors with New York, posted an impressive slash line of .285/.378/.447, good for an OPS of .825. While Rumfield has shown promise, the Yankees have opted to part ways with the minor league talent in favor of adding depth to their pitching staff.

The Trade: A Calculated Risk

In a corresponding move, the Yankees designated outfielder Michael Siani for assignment, clearing space on the roster for Chivilli. This marks another step in the Yankees’ offseason transformation as they aim to build a bullpen capable of contending in the 2025 season.

The addition of Chivilli adds a layer of uncertainty and hope to the Yankees’ bullpen. His career numbers, which include a 7.06 ERA and a WHIP of 1.59 over 58.2 innings pitched across 43 games, don’t exactly scream dominance. However, there are signs that Chivilli could improve in the right environment. In 2025, he showed flashes of potential, with a much more respectable 4.55 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 31.2 innings. These numbers suggest that Chivilli, under the guidance of the Yankees’ experienced coaching staff, could tap into more of his potential and develop into a reliable bullpen piece.

Chivilli’s Background and Potential in New York

Chivilli, originally from the Dominican Republic, was signed by the Rockies as an international free agent in 2018. Over the course of his career, Chivilli has been moved between the Rockies’ major league roster and their AAA affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes, several times. The 2025 season saw him split his time between the majors and the minors, as he struggled to solidify his place in Colorado’s bullpen.

Despite some early challenges, Chivilli has shown promise, and the Yankees believe they can help him reach his potential. His stuff is considered solid, and with the right development, he could become a valuable asset in New York’s bullpen. The question is whether the Yankees can unlock that potential and get him to perform at a higher level than he did with the Rockies.

The Yankees’ Bullpen Issues and Need for Reinforcements

The bullpen has been one of the Yankees’ biggest question marks heading into the 2025 season. Despite some big names in the Yankees’ rotation and lineup, the bullpen has been inconsistent. With key losses this offseason, including the departure of relief pitchers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to the New York Mets, the Yankees’ front office has been forced to scramble for viable options. While neither Williams nor Weaver had stellar seasons in 2025, their absence leaves a gaping hole in the bullpen that needs to be filled.

David Bednar, who was acquired by the Yankees at the trade deadline in 2025 from the Pittsburgh Pirates, is expected to continue his role as the team’s closer. Bednar had a solid showing with the Yankees after the trade, and his experience will be crucial in providing stability at the back end of the bullpen. However, aside from Bednar, the Yankees have few reliable options, and many of the pitchers expected to step up in 2025 have been plagued by inconsistency.

The bullpen depth chart now includes Chivilli, as well as Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz, Paul Blackburn, Cade Winquest, Ryan Yarbrough, and Dom Hamel. While these pitchers have potential, the Yankees are still looking for more reliable arms to fill out the bullpen. With the trade deadline approaching on August 3, the Yankees may make additional moves to bolster their pitching staff further.

Chivilli’s Impact: Will He Be the Solution?

While Chivilli’s numbers with the Rockies were far from stellar, he offers the Yankees a low-risk option with potential upside. Relief pitching is often volatile, and many pitchers experience career revivals in new environments. The Yankees will be hoping that Chivilli can find that revival under the tutelage of their pitching staff.

It’s also worth noting that Chivilli is not the only former Rockies player now on the Yankees’ roster. Last season, New York added reliever Jake Bird, who, unfortunately, struggled in his short time with the team and was eventually sent down to the minor leagues. Third baseman Ryan McMahon was also acquired from Colorado last season. These moves indicate that the Yankees are not afraid to take chances on former Rockies players, hoping to extract more value than the teams they were originally with could.

The Bigger Picture: Yankees’ Offseason Strategy

This trade is part of a larger offseason strategy for the Yankees. While many teams focus their offseason efforts on improving their lineup or making splashy signings, the Yankees have been focused on filling holes where they were weakest, namely in the bullpen. The acquisition of Chivilli is a calculated risk, a move designed to increase competition for bullpen spots and provide some much-needed depth.

In addition to Chivilli, the Yankees have been active on the trade market, looking to make moves that will pay off in the long run. Whether or not they make additional trades before the deadline remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the Yankees’ front office is not content to stand pat. They are fully aware that the bullpen needs to be significantly stronger if the team is to make a run at the playoffs.

What’s Next for the Yankees?

The trade for Chivilli is likely not the last move the Yankees will make before the 2025 season gets underway. With several bullpen options still up in the air, the team will need to continue searching for reliable arms. The Yankees’ pitching staff will likely be a major focus throughout the rest of the offseason, as they look to build a team capable of competing in an increasingly tough American League East division.

Fans should expect continued rumors and speculation about further bullpen additions as the August 3 trade deadline approaches. The Yankees’ front office has shown that they are willing to make bold moves, and with the addition of Chivilli, they may have taken another step toward solidifying their bullpen. However, whether Chivilli can contribute meaningfully remains to be seen. The pressure is now on the Yankees’ coaching staff to develop him into a dependable option for the upcoming season.

For now, Yankees fans can only wait and watch as the team continues to reshape its roster for 2025 and beyond. The bullpen has been a major point of concern, and Chivilli could be the piece that helps bring stability. However, more moves may be necessary before the Yankees can truly consider their bullpen set for the challenges ahead.