After adding Max Fried to their rotation on Tuesday, the New York Yankees continued to bolster their pitching staff in free agency. Their most recent move–bringing a familiar face back to their bullpen.
The Yankees re-signed Jonathan Loaisiga to a one-year deal with a team option for 2026 according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo.
Loaisiga has been plagued with injuries recently, missing two months in 2022 due to shoulder inflammation, only appearing in 17 games in 2023 after having arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow and making it just three games into 2024 before having to undergo season-ending elbow surgery.
However, when healthy, Loaisiga has been extremely effective. In 2021, his last full season, Loaisiga had a 2.17 ERA in 57 appearances. With Clay Holmes leaving to join the New York Mets as a starter, there will be plenty of innings available in the Yankees bullpen. If Loaisiga is able to stay healthy, he could find himself as one of the Yankees high-leverage relievers.
What's next for the New York Yankees
Despite re-signing Loaisiga, the Yankees are still likely looking for more relievers, especially a potential in free agency and in the trade market. Those options could include signing free agents Tanner Scott and Jeff Hoffman or trading for Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.
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Outside of the bullpen, other priorities for the Yankees include third base, first base and an outfielder to replace Soto.
At third base, either signing free agent Alex Bregman or trading for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado make the most sense. Pete Alonso and Christian Walker are by far the best available first base options in free agency. In the outfield, there is a bit more flexibility, especially with Aaron Judge's ability to play both center field and right field. Free agents Teoscar Hernandez and Anthony Santander would be great fits, but there are other outfield options the Yankees could pursue as well, like trading for Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker or Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger.
While failing to sign Soto was of course a disappointment, being able to retain a player like Loaisiga, who could surprise some people if he is able to stay healthy, is a very solid move for the Yankees.
