The Yankees have concentrated on enhancing their lineup this offseason, especially in the pitching area. The signing of Max Fried for $218 million adds a high-quality starter to the rotation, while trading Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee for Devin Williams introduced an elite closer to strengthen the bullpen. In addition to these prominent transactions, the Yankees have also made less publicized but significant choices to enhance depth and versatility.
Jonathan Loaisiga Kept on a Strategic Agreement
A notable yet minor move was keeping relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga with a one-year, $5 million contract, as reported by Jon Heyman, who revealed the details on Tuesday afternoon. The contract features a $500,000 signing bonus and a 2026 club option, which is also worth $5 million. Moreover, Loaisiga has performance bonuses, receiving $100,000 for pitching 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 innings.
Loaisiga’s latest performance history is plagued by injury. In 2024, he pitched only four innings and totaled just 21.2 innings over the last two seasons due to elbow and shoulder problems. In spite of these difficulties, the Yankees believe in his comeback potential and are counting on him to return to his 2021 performance. During that season, Loaisiga excelled, pitching 70.2 innings with a 2.17 ERA, averaging 8.79 strikeouts per nine innings, and placing among the league’s top performers in velocity and ground ball percentages.
Relying on Growth and Wellness
The Yankees’ choice to re-sign Loaisiga shows a measured gamble. His speed during brief appearances in 2024 stayed impressive, suggesting that his top-tier abilities might make a comeback if he maintains good health. The Yankees are taking a risk for $5 million on a promising pitcher who, when at his peak, can manage critical situations effectively. If he regains his form, the Yankees have the option to keep him for an additional season at a reasonable price.
Adhering to the Luke Weaver Model
The Yankees have demonstrated success in revitalizing pitchers in comparable situations. Luke Weaver, a seasoned pitcher, joined the Yankees and transformed into a dependable high-pressure reliever. Weaver’s agreement featured a $2 million club option for 2025, which appears to be among the top bargains in baseball now. The Yankees aim to duplicate that achievement with Loaisiga, relying on their history of developing pitchers and their skill in optimizing bullpen value.
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