How Can The Yankees Fill Michael King's Role?

According to Phillips, Loáisiga was brought up by Blake when he talked about fellow reliever Ian Hamilton's chances of being converted to long-relief. Hamilton himself is also an option.

Like several of the Yankees' decisions, selecting Loáisiga or Hamilton as King's replacement would depend on them staying healthy. However, if they can stay on the field, then having either of them as a long reliever would be a sensible choice.

Loáisiga made 57 relief appearances in 2021 and pitched at least two innings in ten of them, and was one of the Yankees' most reliable arms that year. Boasting both elite strikeout stuff and strong ground ball rates thanks to a power sinker, he posted a 2.17 ERA and 2.58 FIP. 

However, Loáisiga's next two seasons were derailed by numerous injuries, especially in 2023 when he made only 17 appearances; he hasn't gone two innings in a game since September 23, 2022. Nonetheless, 2021 showed the upside he has when healthy, and since his pitch mix is similar to King's, he would be an ideal option.

As for Hamilton, he enjoyed a breakout 2023 season despite dealing with groin injuries. In his 39 appearances, he provided the Yankee bullpen with much-needed length with 58 innings pitched; he pitched at least two innings in 14 games, and he went three innings in three of those games, including a three-inning save on August 30 in Detroit. Hamilton ultimately finished the year with a 2.64 ERA and 2.82 FIP.

As stated before, both Loáisiga and Hamilton would need to consistently be available to be an effective successor for King in long relief, but with the former's devastating pitch mix and the latter's ability to give length, either of them could thrive in the role. 

Nonetheless, the Yankees are depending on both to pitch in high-leverage situations, especially with the loss of Wandy Peralta to the Padres on Wednesday. The long relief role is now one of many questions the Yankees have to address in their bullpen.