ESPN’s David Schoenfield, in a recent trade preview, suggested the Yankees could “likely need” bullpen help and highlighted pitching prospect Ben Hess as a potential trade chip. The piece frames the Yankees as a team that could pursue external improvements to shore up late-inning depth.
One speculative avenue discussed by Heavy Sports centers on a Bryan Abreu swap: the Yankees would trade Hess to the Houston Astros in exchange for the veteran reliever. Abreu, a high-strikeout bullpen standout over the past four seasons, has opened 2026 with rough results, including 12 earned runs allowed in 7.1 innings and a high ERA, after battling injuries to start the season.
Even so, Abreu carries a strong track record (a career 2.91 ERA as a reliever) and has been among the game’s best late-inning options when healthy, making him an attractive buy-low candidate for a team like the Yankees that could use additional bullpen firepower. The trade discussion notes that Houston’s current struggles and Abreu’s value could push them to explore a deal now, before free agency.
Any deal, however, would likely require the Yankees to part with additional MLB-ready talent or a higher-tier prospect to satisfy the Astros’ return needs, given Abreu’s pedigree and potential upside if he regains form. That dynamic is a common feature of midseason bullpen upgrades and would be a key point for evaluating the trade’s fairness.
In short, the Abreu-for-Hess idea is a plausible trade scenario worth watching as the season evolves, but it remains speculative. The Yankees’ interest in external additions appears grounded in tangible bullpen needs, while Houston’s injury context and Abreu’s rebound potential keep the possibility alive. Further coverage from Heavy Sports and other outlets will track how this market conversation evolves ahead of the trade deadline.
