By Aaron ColomaShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe New York Yankees have checked in with former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Kopech, 29, spent half of 2024 and all of 2025 with the Dodgers, though missed a significant amount of time last season due to injury. He has been fantastic when healthy, though, posting a 1.54 ERA through 38 regular season appearances for the Dodgers.
Due to his lengthy stint on the injured list last season, Kopech hasn't received much attention as a free agent, though. He began the season on the injured list with a shoulder issue, and transferred to the 60-day injured list in May 2025. He made his return in June 2025, but landed right back on the injured list — this time with a knee issue.
Kopech returned a second time at the beginning of September, but his knee flared up once again and he spent the postseason on the sidelines.
...Do the Yankees Need Michael Kopech?
The Yankees went all-in on their bullpen last season, adding All-Star closer Devin Williams in the offseason and two more high-leverage pieces in Camilo Duval and David Bednar at the trade deadline.
Williams, though, entered free agency at the end of the season and is now with the New York Mets. With a vacant slot in their bullpen, adding a short-term relief option who has proven himself in the majors would be a fantastic addition to their team.
The Yankees still ranked 23rd in MLB in bullpen ERA last season despite their heavy investments, so taking a shot on Kopech could help them find their way back to the top of the AL East.
In 2024, his last full season, Kopech managed a 31.5 percent strikeout rate, which ranked in the 93rd percentile of MLB. The Yankees bullpen excelled at striking players out last year, ranking sixth in MLB, and the left-hander's skillset would complement their current group.
With just two weeks left before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Yankees need to move fast should they decide to make a move on the southpaw. If not, though, they still have plenty of power and pitching to get themselves back to the World Series, where they fell short against Kopech's Dodgers two seasons ago.
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