Fansided

Why the Yankees can win without trading for a pitcher

By Rucker Haringey

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 4: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on before game two of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 4, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Players on both teams are wearing the number 42 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, as it is the makeup of the game rained out on April 15. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 4: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on before game two of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 4, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Players on both teams are wearing the number 42 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, as it is the makeup of the game rained out on April 15. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 15: Jonathan Loaisiga #38 of the New York Yankees pitches in his MLB debut against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on June 15, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 15: Jonathan Loaisiga #38 of the New York Yankees pitches in his MLB debut against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on June 15, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

5. Rely on Jonathan Loaisiga

Let’s start this section with an obvious caveat. Loaisiga has pitched a grand total of five innings at the major league level to date. It’s impossible to know just how good he is, or is not at this point in his career. Still, it’s entirely possible that he can develop into a weapon for Boone down the stretch.

After all, he didn’t give up a run in his first start for the Yankees either. More importantly, Rays manager Kevin Cash immediately started to compare him to Mariano Rivera after his outing against Tampa Bay. Loaisiga has miles to go before he really deserves that comparison, but it’s insanely high praise to receive from an opponent.

Loaisiga should be in line to get several more starts to prove he’s ready for a permanent spot with the big league club. Masahiro Tanaka’s return date from the DL is still very much up in the air. It’s quite possible he won’t be back in the rotation until after the All-Star game. Four or five more starts for Loaisiga should give the Yankees’ brain trust a lot better idea about what they have in the Nicaraguan hurler.

Even if he doesn’t emerge as some sort of shutdown starter, he could end up providing another useful arm for the bullpen. There’s more than one way for Loaisiga to help his squad win a title this season. That’s a lot of pressure to heap on a rookie, but winning without a big trade is going to require taking a substantial risk.

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