The New York Yankees seem content entering the 2026 season with a very similar roster to last year. That’s been emblematic throughout MLB free agency, as the Yankees have retained names like Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Trent Grisham, Amed Rosario, and Ryan Yarborough.
While they are being urged to make a big splash, that doesn’t feel likely, but the Yankees could head to the trade market to acquire another arm. The Los Angeles Dodgers recently designated Anthony Banda for assignment, and the Yankees have emerged as a potential landing spot via a trade.
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Should the Yankees Trade for Anthony Banda?
The Yankees could use another impact southpaw in their bullpen. As of now, the left-handed options include Brent Headrick, Yarborough, and Tim Hill. Hill and Yarborough are soft lefties who rarely exceed 90+ MPH on their fastballs.
However, Anthony Banda has some strikeouts in his arsenal and has helped the Dodgers bullpen efforts in back-to-back World Series victories. New York fans should understand that well, as the 2024 ring Banda earned came against the Yankees.
Los Angeles has until Friday to trade Banda, or else he will be outrighted on waivers.
Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesAnthony Banda opened Monday’s game for the Dodgers but could not retire lefty slugger Kyle Schwarber in the first inning.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic expects Anthony Banda to have an intriguing trade market because quality left-handers are hard to come by.
That report could open the door for the Yankees to make a move for Banda, who is owed $1.625 million next season.
The reason Banda was designated by the Dodgers is because of his poor performance in the 2025 MLB playoffs, but before that, he had been a solid reliever for LA in terms of production in each of the last two regular seasons.
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Anthony Banda’s Career At a Glance
Before joining the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season, Anthony Banda had been a journeyman reliever. In fact, he spent a brief period with the Yankees in 2022. He pitched in just 0.2 innings with the team and gave up three earned runs.
However, he seemed to find something in himself after joining the Dodgers. In 2024, Banda posted a 3.08 ERA over 49.2 innings with 50 strikeouts. He followed that season up with a 3.18 ERA in ’25 over 65 innings and 61 strikeouts. He had never thrown over 40 innings at the MLB level before his time with the Dodgers.
If the Yankees did want to go ahead and scoop up Banda from the Dodgers, what they would have to give up depends on whether the southpaw Banda has any other trade interest.
New York could offer a low-level prospect, or just anyone from the organization the front office feels is expendable and can be cut loose.
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