Yankees Keep Tim Hill, Cut Ties with Jonathan Loaisiga

The New York Yankees have started their offseason bullpen shuffle by making two key decisions. On Wednesday, the team announced it has exercised left-hander Tim Hill’s $3 million club option for 2026 while declining right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga’s $5 million option, opting for dependability over uncertainty. The move reflects a clear preference for consistency and health as the Yankees attempt to retool a pitching staff that faltered down the stretch in 2025.

Hill, 35, has been one of the Yankees’ most reliable bullpen arms since arriving midseason in 2024. Across 105 games with the team, he’s posted a 2.68 ERA, thriving as a groundball specialist capable of generating quick outs and neutralizing left-handed hitters. In 2025, Hill’s 70 appearances led all Yankees relievers and ranked among the league’s top 10 for southpaws.

The Yankees’ decision to retain Hill underscores the team’s trust in his unique sidearm delivery and his ability to induce weak contact. His 64.8% groundball rate ranked second among all qualified relievers, serving as a key counterbalance to a bullpen otherwise built around power arms. While his 13.8% strikeout rate was the lowest among qualifiers, his ability to control innings and limit damage provided much-needed stability.

For New York, Hill’s return also signals continuity for a bullpen that will see significant turnover this offseason. With several right-handers heading to free agency, his presence offers both veteran experience and reliability in a unit that struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

1. Loaisiga’s Departure Marks an End to a Frustrating Chapter

The decision not to bring back Jonathan Loaisiga closes a difficult three-year stretch marked by injuries and unrealized potential. Once viewed as a long-term bullpen cornerstone, the 30-year-old Nicaraguan right-hander has struggled to stay on the mound since 2022. He missed nearly all of 2024 after undergoing ulnar collateral ligament surgery, and his 2025 return was marred by another setback — a flexor strain that sidelined him for the final two months. Before the injury, Loaisiga appeared in 30 games, posting a 4.25 ERA over 29⅔ innings. Despite flashes of his trademark sinker velocity and late movement, command issues and diminished stamina prevented him from reclaiming his pre-surgery form. His reduced workload reflected the Yankees’ cautious handling of his recovery, but the recurring health concerns ultimately outweighed the upside. The Yankees had signed Loaisiga to a one-year, $5 million deal with a club option last offseason, hoping he could reestablish himself as a late-inning weapon. However, with limited results and ongoing durability questions, the front office opted not to commit further. His departure frees up salary space and roster flexibility as the team explores new bullpen options. While the Yankees’ pitching infrastructure has often helped rehabilitate veteran arms, the organization’s focus has shifted toward investing in dependable, low-variance contributors — a trend exemplified by Hill’s retention. Loaisiga now enters a competitive free-agent market alongside several other experienced relievers.

2. Shaping a New Bullpen Core

With Loaisiga, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Ryan Yarbrough, and Paul Blackburn all entering free agency, the Yankees face an offseason defined by bullpen reconstruction. General manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone must now identify durable, cost-effective arms to support a rotation that remains one of the most expensive in baseball. Hill’s return provides a solid anchor, but the club will likely seek at least one high-leverage right-hander to replace Loaisiga’s projected role. The Yankees’ internal depth offers a few options — including Ron Marinaccio and Randy Vásquez — but the front office is expected to remain active in the relief market. New York’s bullpen finished middle-of-the-pack statistically in 2025, hampered by injuries and inconsistency. However, the franchise has long prided itself on building depth through both development and opportunistic signings. Retaining Hill aligns with that philosophy, ensuring at least one dependable veteran presence amid transition. For a team intent on returning to contention, the Yankees’ bullpen overhaul will be critical. With their roster anchored by a powerful offense and a frontline rotation, the bullpen remains the X-factor — and moves like this one suggest a renewed emphasis on stability and durability heading into 2026.

3. Building Toward 2026

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The Yankees’ early offseason decisions reflect a pragmatic approach to team-building: retain the steady, release the uncertain, and prepare for a measured rebuild of the bullpen. Hill’s consistency and veteran leadership make him an essential piece for 2026, while Loaisiga’s exit closes a chapter of what-could-have-been for a once-promising arm. As the front office turns its attention to free agency, New York’s priorities are clear — reinforce pitching depth, avoid costly health risks, and build a bullpen capable of sustaining a full-season push. If executed effectively, these decisions could help the Yankees transform a position of weakness into one of strength. The path forward will depend on balancing youth with experience, but for now, the retention of Hill marks a small yet meaningful step toward stability in the Bronx. In holding onto their most dependable reliever and moving on from an injury-prone one, the Yankees have made their priorities unmistakable — consistency, control, and confidence heading into 2026.