The Yankees beat the Marlins on Aug 1, 2025, while trading for closers David Bednar & Camilo Doval. See how this new super bullpen aims for a title.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
August 1, 2025, will be remembered as the day the New York Yankees pushed all their chips to the center of the table. While the team on the field was busy dispatching the Marlins for their fourth straight win, the front office was executing a masterclass, acquiring not one, but two elite closers in David Bednar and Camilo Doval. The message from Brian Cashman is loud and clear: The mission is a 28th World Series title, and the reinforcements have arrived.
Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones has been the hottest hitter in the minors, slashing .427/.477/.987 with 12 home runs in his last 18 Triple-A games.
Forget just shortening the game; the Yankees are trying to erase the late innings for opponents. By acquiring two-time All-Star David Bednar from the Pirates and flamethrower Camilo Doval from the Giants, the Yankees have built a bullpen that is downright terrifying. Bednar brings a polished 2.31 ERA and a veteran presence, while Doval's high-octane fastball gives manager Aaron Boone another high-leverage weapon. Imagine a late-game gauntlet of Doval, Bednar, and Clay Holmes. It's a nightmare scenario for any lineup and a clear fix for what was the team's most glaring weakness.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the deadline haul is who the Yankees *didn't* trade. Top prospects Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. remain in the organization. This is a massive win. Jones, in particular, is making a case for a September call-up, putting up video game numbers in Triple-A. His scorching hot streak, which includes a jaw-dropping 12 homers in his last 18 games, shows the kind of future firepower the Yankees held onto while still dramatically improving the big-league club. Giving up prospects like Jesus Rodriguez, Parks Harber, and Trystan Vrieling is the cost of doing business, but Cashman protected the future while going all-in on the present.
While the front office was making waves, the team was taking care of business in Miami. The 5-2 victory over the Marlins felt routine in the best way possible. Gerrit Cole was his dominant self, carving through the Marlins' lineup for seven innings with nine strikeouts. The offense was powered by the usual suspects, with Juan Soto launching a solo shot and Aaron Judge adding a three-run bomb to put the game away. Clay Holmes locked down his 28th save, and a spectacular diving catch by Anthony Volpe in the eighth inning snuffed out any hope of a comeback, showcasing the team's all-around excellence.
Every win seems to add another chapter to Aaron Judge's incredible season. His 38th home run wasn't just the decisive blow in the game; it was another statement in his ongoing MVP race. Judge now leads the American League in both homers (38) and RBIs (88), while boasting a major-league-best .711 slugging percentage. He's not just hitting for power; he's hitting .343 and playing Gold Glove-caliber defense. He is the engine of this team, and the new bullpen arms are the ultimate insurance policy for the leads he and the offense provide.
With a fortified bullpen, an MVP-caliber superstar leading the charge, and a four-game winning streak, the Yankees exit the trade deadline as arguably the most complete team in baseball. The focus is squarely on the postseason. The moves are made, the roster is set, and the path to a deep October run looks clearer than ever. Buckle up, Yankees fans, the real season starts now.
