Mark Leiter Jr. to the Yankees: Cubs’ shocking final 2024 midseason deal

In a move that surprised fans and baseball analysts alike, the New York Yankees reached an agreement with the Chicago Cubs to acquire reliever Mark Leiter Jr. This trade, reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, involves two promising prospects, Ben Cowles and Jack Neely, and has Yankee fans excited about the impact Leiter can have on their team’s bullpen.

Mark Leiter Jr., 33, was a key player for the Chicago Cubs during the 2024 season, posting a 2-4 record and a 4.21 ERA in 39 appearances. While his earned run average may not appear impressive at first glance, more advanced metrics suggest that his performance was affected by external factors, such as a high .301 BABIP rate, indicating that he may have been a victim of bad luck.