Yankees Have Easy Decision With Jonathan Loáisiga's Contract
Jun 16, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga (43) follows through on a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the tenth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees don't have to think too hard about whether or not to pick up Jonathan Loáisiga's club option for the 2026 campaign.
Yankees Likely Moving On from Loáisiga
While going through New York's 40-man roster before free agency begins next month, the New York Post's Greg Joyce alluded to the fact that the club is leaning towards declining Loáisiga's $5 million option, which would result in the right-hander hitting the open market.
"A $5 million club option is unlikely to be picked up for the reliever who could never stay healthy for long enough," Joyce wrote.
Loáisiga's History with Yankees
After being released as a minor leaguer by the San Francisco Giants in May 2015, the Yankees signed Loáisiga in February 2016.
He underwent Tommy John surgery that same year, but he returned in 2017 and went on to make his big-league debut for the team in 2018. Over nine appearances (four starts) as a rookie, Loáisiga logged a 5.11 ERA in 24 2/3 innings.
It wasn't until 2021 that we would become a true mainstay for the Yankees, however. That season, Loáisiga completed 57 outings and recorded a 2.17 ERA to go with 3.3 bWAR and a 2.58 FIP.
He remained a solid contributor out of New York's bullpen over the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, posting a 3.84 ERA in 65 2/3 frames during that stretch, but he tore the UCL in his right elbow at the beginning of 2024 and underwent season-ending surgery.
Loáisiga re-signed with the team last offseason on a one-year deal worth $5 million that includes his impending option for 2026. He put up a 4.25 ERA in 29 2/3 innings, though he sustained a right flexor strain that ended his year in August.
Should Yankees Keep Loáisiga?
Though Loáisiga has proven himself to be a borderline elite reliever at times in the past, New York simply can't hold any sort of confidence in his durability moving forward.
His advanced metrics remained strong this season, with a 40.6 percent chase rate and 86.6 mph average exit velocity serving as prime examples, but that's all for naught if Loáisiga can't consistently stay on the field.
The Yankees will have a number of openings to fill in their bullpen this offseason as the likes of Luke Weaver and Devin Williams reach free agency, but just because they need relievers doesn't mean keeping Loáisiga for $5 million should be in the cards despite his obvious talent.
Packers’ Matt LaFleur offers daunting Aaron Rodgers scouting report
If 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers has shown any sign of slowing down, or regressing, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t seen it in his preparations for Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
LaFleur, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and the Packers will need to limit Rodgers’ big-play ability in the passing game and create chaos in the pocket around him if Green Bay is going to fly home with a fifth victory in tow.
Packers’ Matt LaFleur remains impressed by Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has made no secret his desire to get revenge on his former team, ahead of the Packers vs. Steelers showdown, and he has been a driving force behind Pittsburgh’s run to the top of the division standings.
The former Packers MVP-winning quarterback has passed for 1,270 yards with 14 touchdowns to just five interceptions, looking markedly improved over the version of himself that emerged from a disappointing tenure with the New York Jets.
“He looks like he can still do anything,” LaFLeur told reporters this week. “It’s surprising for such an old man he is still moving around pretty good, too.”
Creating pressure on Rodgers, and getting him moving–if not forced into mistakes might be most important for the Packers. However, LaFleur cautions his team against taking Rodgers likely, despite his age and that he’s well into the twilight of his career.
“It’s really, really, really difficult,” LaFleur said. “The best way to beat a quarterback is to get him on his back. I tell our guys all the time, it’s hard to throw when you’re on your back. So, our pass rush is going to have to be on point, we are going to have to do some things in our coverages and sometimes, you’ve got to hit in terms of what you’re calling vs. what they’re calling.”
