Yankees, Astros Reportedly In Running To Land Fireballer Reliever After Career Year

New York and Houston both reportedly are showing interest in a top-tier fireballer

It sounds like the New York Yankees will have stiff competition for one of their top free-agent targets.

New York had the best bullpen in baseball last season but needs to continue to add this offseason if it wants to maintain that level of success in 2024. The Yankees could end up losing a few of their relievers this offseason -- including fireballer Wandy Peralta -- and need to bring in at least one or two high-leverage hurlers.

One player who has been linked to the Yankees on multiple occasions this offseason is former St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays fireballer Jordan Hicks. The young righty had arguably the best season of his young career in 2023 and could be a perfect addition to the New York bullpen.

It sounds like the Yankees still are showing interest but will have some stiff competition as the Houston Astros reportedly also are interested in landing Hicks, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"Free agent reliever Jordan Hicks has drawn interest from the Astros and Yankees, among other teams, as we discussed on MLB Network a short time ago," Morosi said.

Landing Hicks would be a great place to start for the Yankees. He has a fastball that approaches 105 miles per hour and he logged a 3.29 ERA and 81-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio last season in 65 total appearances with the Cardinals and Blue Jays. 

Hicks could either take over the closer role or see time in an eighth-inning set-up role. No matter what role he is in, he could help the Yankees,