Fansided

5 relief pitchers who can fill out the Yankees bullpen

By Rucker Haringey

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the bottom of the eighth inning at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 23, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rockies beat the Diamondbacks 2-0. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the bottom of the eighth inning at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 23, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rockies beat the Diamondbacks 2-0. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Joakim Soria #48 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Joakim Soria #48 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. Joakim Soria

It might surprise fans to learn that Soria was the third most productive reliever on the free agent market in terms of WAR per MLB. His mark of 1.8 tied him with Familia just behind Adam Ottavino.

Soria began last season as the closer for the White Sox, but was transitioned to a seventh and eighth-inning guy after being traded to Milwaukee ahead of the deadline. That’s most likely going to be his role for a contending team in 2019.

The Yankees have been loosely linked with the 34-year-old right hander, but his market really hasn’t taken shape yet. At the very least, it’s fair to expect Cashman to keep tabs on him as the free agency process moves along.

In particular, watch for New York to step up their interest in Soria if Robertson goes off the board to the Red Sox. The two pitchers will attract a lot of the same suitors due to their similar production levels. Neither guy is going to dominate batters at this point in their respective careers, but both guys will give their teams solid outings more often than not.

It’s highly likely the Yankees will either sign Soria or face him in the postseason. The price tag of other guys on the market will determine which side of the battle he ends up on.

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