Even if the Yankees dip into free agency pitching they still may be willing to make this deal. The knock on Bieber is he’s not an “ace” anymore, which is irrelevant. He was injured some of 2023,and how much that hurt his numbers, who knows. He made 2 starts at the end of 2023 and appears to be healthy. No one wants Bieber at a 30.0 value, but at 5.7 there will be interest. The Yankees need starters, and a veteran, not fazed by NYC, slotted in as a #3, who knows how to pitch, would likely work for them. With the price of starting pitching these days Bieber will still draw attention. The key to this trade is Brito. He’s going to be a very good MLB player, but Cleveland has other options at 2B. I prefer Gimenez at short, and Brito at 2B but his trade value can upgrade other areas of need. NY has Torres at 2B, but he’s gone after 2024 and Brito will be ready to replace him. The Yankees lack any 2B talent in the upper minors, so Brito can be slotted in as a starter in 2025 and in years to come. Thorpe’s potential is a mid to TOR starter, but has had only 5 starts in AA. His ETA is likely mid 2025 or 2026 (barring injury). I don’t see Cleveland getting back to serious contention until 2025 anyway, so that timeline works well. Effross provides Cleveland with another good bullpen option. So a trade that upgrades the NY rotation this year and adds a good, young, controllable second baseman. Helps Cleveland’s rotation down the road, with immediate bullpen help in 2023+.

Effross is coming off of Tommy John Surgery. How much help will or can he provide?