3 low-cost replacements that make sense for the Yankees in free agency

The New York Yankees are pursuing players on different fronts and positions, but they need to do something about their shallow bullpen. There was already a lack of reliable weapons before losing Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loaisiga and Tim Hill to free agency.

The team needs a complete bullpen rebuild and can’t give big contracts to every player they bring in. That’s why you should consider these three potentially cost-effective solutions.

Cheap replacements the Yankees should consider

Hoby Milner

Milner may not be the most consistent guy when it comes to ERA, but his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) has been between 3.14 and 3.22 each of the last three years. He also boasts a career 3.82 ERA and is a cheap left-handed hitter: the Yankees definitely need a few of those.

Milner knows what it’s like to pitch a competitor, and it wouldn’t cost much more than $3 or $4 million to do so, maybe even less. The Yankees should definitely inquire, even though he had a 4.73 ERA and was non-tendered by Milwaukee.

Kyle Finnegan

Maybe we’re cheating a little here because Finnegan should be able to get at least $5 or $6 million on the open market. However, we’re not talking about $100 million in relief or anything close to that, so we’ll let it pass.

The former Nationals closer posted a 3.68 ERA and 38 saves in 63.2 frames last season. He is the owner of a 3.56 career ERA and should be able to help the Yankees work in middle relief or high leverage if given the chance. However, given his extensive closing experience, Finnegan is likely to attract a lot of interest from the market. Finnegan had a miserable second half and that needs to be taken into account, but the idea of ​​him joining the Yankees isn’t crazy at all.

Lucas Sims

Considering his lengthy injury history and the fact that he posted a 6.43 ERA during his time with the Boston Red Sox after leaving at the deadline (in 14 innings), there is no reason to believe that Sims is for the Yankees will be expensive.

Before the Boston struggles, he had a good 3.57 ERA in Cincinnati and posted a 3.10 mark in 61 frames in 2023. There’s a lot of talent on Sims’ right arm, and the Yankees are sweeper-slider specialists: He’s the type of guy who should improve under pitching coach Matt Blake. Sims has some issues with command and control, but his upside is significant when put in the right situation.