Phillies Interested In Jonathan Loaisiga

Reports indicate that right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga is receiving widespread interest in free agency. The Dodgers were the most recent entrant into his market alongside the Yankees, Mets, and Blue Jays. It appears the Phillies have also entered the fray for Loaisiga’s services, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. That makes at least five known suitors for the 32-year-old reliever, whom MLBTR projects to earn a two-year, $13MM deal.

Loaisiga is coming off his best season in five years. Despite having a length injury history, including IL stints in every season from 2019-25, he finally stayed off the IL in 2026 and delivered 67 innings out of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen. That was a nice surprise considering Loaisiga entered Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. Even better, he delivered a stellar 2.42 earned run average, 56.4% ground ball rate, and 5.0% walk rate, making him one of Arizona’s best relievers and a key upside play for bullpen-needy clubs in free agency.

That Loaisiga managed a 67-inning total is impressive considering he combined for just 51 1/3 innings from 2023-25 with the Yankees. Since breaking out with a 2.17 ERA in 70 2/3 innings back in 2021, Loaisiga had missed time for shoulder inflammation, elbow inflammation, a torn UCL (which required season-ending surgery in April 2024), and mid-back tightness. From 2022-25, he had a 3.81 ERA in just under 100 innings with a subpar 9.4% K-BB rate but an excellent 55.5% ground ball rate.

There were a lot of positives in Loaisiga’s performance this year beyond the improved health. After working with slightly diminished velocity on his trademark sinker in 2025, he bumped it back up to 97.9 mph with the D-backs, which was right in line with his career norms. According to Statcast, Loaisiga ranked in the 92nd percentile or better by hard-hit rate (31.7%), chase rate (35.9%), barrel rate (3.5%), and average exit velocity (85.2 mph). Every one of his pitches had a positive run value, led by the four-seamer at +10 RV.

The Phillies ranked eighth in the Majors with 5.6 fWAR out of their relievers this year. Most of that came from flamethrowing closer Jhoan Duran, who earned 2.9 fWAR with a career-best 1.82 ERA and 31.4% K-BB rate in 61 appearances. Tim Mayza and Jonathan Bowlan were solid, but José Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, and Chase Shugart posted subpar run prevention and ground ball rates.

Loaisiga would solve both problems on a relatively inexpensive deal. As MLBTR’s Leo Morgenstern noted in our Offseason Outlook series, the Phillies could probably use three relievers but may focus more on bolstering the lineup, especially by adding starting-caliber outfielders. Our Payroll Tracker has the team at a $265MM cash payroll for 2027, leaving around $26.8MM to spend before they match last year’s total.