Yankees: 4 former rivals NYY should sign this offseason

The New York Yankees are going to be hunting for reinforcements this offseason, and should sign a few of their ex-rivals in free agency.

The Yankees have some maneuvers to make this offseason, but might have to do so on a self-imposed budget. Though the salary cap isn’t a real thing (thankfully!), nobody wants to pass the second luxury tax threshold during a pandemic, and New York will probably have trouble fitting in large-scale spending efforts.

Luckily, there are plenty of players available on the free agent market for relative bargains, some of whom we’ve become very familiar with over the past several seasons.

And even if you love our starters and believe they’re incontrovertible, you have to admit that if there’s a way to eliminate the overuse of Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada, it should probably get done. If there’s a way to replace the Jonathan Loaisiga innings with someone who’s, say, already shown during the 2020 postseason that they can handle big spots, then you make that move, too.

These former Yankees rivals could bolster the ‘pen and add a lot of extremely necessary versatility at a low, low price.

4. Aaron Loup, Tampa Bay Rays

The Yankees have to like what they see out of Aaron Loup.

In case it wasn’t already clear that Aaron Loup would be a good fit in the Bronx, he’s managed to come in during high-leverage spots for the Rays in the ALCS and World Series and get the job done after not appearing in a single game during the ALDS.

Not to be reactionary, but getting a bonafide lefty like Loup on the cheap feels like a major addition the Yanks can make this offseason. We’re talking about one year, $3.5 million to be infinitely more insured in the middle innings by adding a veteran of the AL East.

Plus, Loup has made a mockery of the three-batter minimum this postseason, so if that rule persists (it likely will), he won’t be neutralized as a same-side-only option.

The lefty had his best regular season since 2013, going 3-2 with a 2.52 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 24 games in 2020. He’s pitched four scoreless innings this postseason, registering just three hits and a walk while striking out six.

He’d definitely be a valuable addition, as well as an important subtraction from Tampa Bay, even though he was glued to the bench when we faced ’em. Wonder if they were trying to hide him to dissuade us from snagging him instead?