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Yankees Designate Lucas Luetge For Assignment

By Anthony Franco | December 21, 2022 at 4:44pm CDT

The Yankees announced they’ve designated reliever Lucas Luetge for assignment. The move creates a 40-man roster spot for Tommy Kahnle, who has officially signed a two-year free agent deal.

It’s a relatively surprising decision, as Luetge is coming off a strong two-year run in the New York bullpen. The southpaw returned to the majors in 2021 for the first time in six years. Signed to a minor league deal over the 2020-21 offseason, he broke camp with the MLB club that season. Luetge held his bullpen spot all year and posted a 2.74 ERA over 72 1/3 innings. He struck out an above-average 25.9% of batters faced with a sterling 5% walk rate, holding left-handed hitters to a dreadful .196/.204/.315 line in the process.

Luetge’s 2022 campaign wasn’t quite at that level, but he managed another productive year. He was called upon 50 times and put up a 2.67 ERA across 57 1/3 frames. The 35-year-old punched out 23.9% of opponents against a 6.8% walk percentage. Lefties managed a more respectable .269/.359/.333 showing off him this time around, largely thanks to an uptick in free passes.

Nevertheless, Luetge generally handled himself well when tabbed by skipper Aaron Boone. Over his time in pinstripes, he put together a 2.71 ERA through 129 2/3 frames. He avoided the injured list in both seasons, struck out a quarter of his opponents and walked less than 6% of batters faced. Luetge held opponents to a .255/.307/.371 slash in 552 plate appearances. He missed bats on over 12% of his offerings in both seasons and was particularly adept at staying off barrels. Only 23.5% of batted balls against him this past season were hit hard, per Statcast; that’s the lowest rate of any qualified pitcher in the game.

While Luetge was consistently productive, he never quite worked his way up the bullpen hierarchy in the Bronx. New York relied upon Wandy Peralta in higher-leverage situations, and Luetge was a healthy scratch in this year’s American League Championship Series. Peralta generates more ground-balls and throws in the mid-90s, while Luetge has succeeded on guile and movement — primarily turning to a cutter that averaged just 87.6 MPH this year.

As New York stockpiles power arms in the bullpen, Luetge was squeezed out of the picture. There’s a good chance he finds another landing spot in the next few days, with the Yankees having a week to trade him or put him on waivers. Luetge is eligible for arbitration through the end of the 2024 season; he’s projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for a $1.7MM salary next year. That’s a reasonable price for a productive lefty bullpen arm, and teams like the Cardinals, Astros, Cubs and Guardians could check in with New York general manager Brian Cashman about the possibility of a minor trade.

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View Comments (96)

Comments

  1. angryyankeesfan1

    1 month ago

    Wow

    Reply
    • Francys01

      1 month ago

      This is surprising he pitched extremely well. What can you ask for? He had an incredible season. To the Cards please.

      Reply
    • dobsonel

      1 month ago

      Why him and not Deivi Garcia? Garcia can’t possibly have trade value and he’s out of options.

      Reply
      • TheMan 3

        1 month ago

        I see the Bucs trading Castillo for him, then waiving Underwood Jr

        Reply
        • This one belongs to the Reds

          1 month ago

          We’ll take him.

    • all in the suit that you wear

      1 month ago

      I noticed he wasn’t pitching in the postseason and I thought maybe he was injured, but I never did hear of an injury. I was wondering what happened to him.

      Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      1 month ago

      Check in with the Mets, they’ll offer him $220 mil for 5 years. Let the insanity continue…

      Reply
    • paleobros

      1 month ago

      Braves guy here and yeah, even I am scratching my head ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

      Reply
  2. Joe says...

    1 month ago

    What!?!?

    Reply
  3. Dbacks44

    1 month ago

    Omg! he will last 5 min. Dbacks!

    Reply
    • Lets Go DBacks

      1 month ago

      He was already in the desert some years ago.

      Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      1 month ago

      Lasting 5 minutes is good, right?

      Reply
      • $21002046

        1 month ago

        That’s what she said

        Reply
  4. Dr2022

    1 month ago

    I guess the salary relief begins. We can save 1 million or two this way. Lol.

    Reply
  5. MattDaddy72

    1 month ago

    Probably cuda traded him in a package for something jeez

    Reply
    • YourDreamGM

      1 month ago

      Still can

      Reply
      • Fink Ployed

        1 month ago

        But they have only 7 days to do it, or they lose him for nothing.

        Reply
  6. BSHH

    1 month ago

    Luetge is 35 years old, but other than that a valuable player. I would love the Tigers to get him (for cheap), the need LHP for their bullpen after Chafin left.

    Gruß,
    BSHH

    Reply
    • The_M4N

      1 month ago

      Wtf? One of the most reliable arms in that pen, can give you multiple innings, from the left side. Who is making these decisions?

      Reply
      • thecoffinnail

        1 month ago

        He was the Yankees garbageman when called upon. Low leverage relievers with good numbers are not difficult to find. The guy couldn’t break 90mph on his best day and is 35 years old. The Yankees love power arms and nasty sliders for their pen. He was just about as far from that as you could get.

        Reply
  7. Slothcliff Hokum

    1 month ago

    Come on, Dipoto! A decent LHP for the Mariners pen!

    Reply
    • shameless

      1 month ago

      We’ll take him back in a heartbeat

      Reply
  8. AverageCommenter

    1 month ago

    Did Cashman have a stroke? Red Sox should get all over this. So should most teams for that matter.

    Reply
  9. StudWinfield

    1 month ago

    Bit surprised they would choose Jimmy Cordero over him. Expect a trade, shouldnt let him go for nothing.

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      1 month ago

      They won’t and he’ll get a warm body of value back.

      Reply
    • LordD99

      1 month ago

      Cordero has much higher-end stuff.

      Reply
      • Little Stevie Janowsky

        1 month ago

        Lol and no mlb success?

        Reply
        • LordD99

          1 month ago

          Little Stevie, I’m sure you were the type complaining when the Yankees pulled Luetge out of oblivion after he was out of the game for six years. Or were pissed when they traded Tauchman for Wandy Peralta. Or brought Clay Holmes over from the Pirates.

          Luetge was a high-spin rate guy who lost spin after the sticky stuff crackdown. He maintained effectiveness based on how he was deployed. You won’t miss him, but you’ll convince yourself you will.

        • jopeness

          1 month ago

          I felt Boone’s first call to the bullpen was always Luetge. it could be a Robertson type situation where they know they overworked him and its going to be a cpl down seasons incoming.

  10. DarkSide830

    1 month ago

    New Phillies closer

    Reply
    • Captain Dunsel

      1 month ago

      I would rather trade for Hendriks.

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        1 month ago

        I would, but I don’t see it happening.

        Reply
        • Captain Dunsel

          1 month ago

          McGarry, Morales, and a lottery ticket.

  11. pinstripes17

    1 month ago

    Wow, this is kind of surprising. Should have at least gotten something back for him in a trade.

    Reply
    • Ronk325

      1 month ago

      I believe they have a brief period to work out a trade before Luetge hits waivers. They’ll probably find a taker

      Reply
      • pinstripes17

        1 month ago

        He’s not a known name I guess, but every team could use a reliable bullpen arm who eats innings and doesn’t allow many runs.

        Reply
        • Ronk325

          1 month ago

          The Yankees won’t get much in return but maybe they take a chance on an unknown teenage prospect and strike gold

        • TrumboJumbo

          1 month ago

          Halos will take him.

        • jopeness

          1 month ago

          I’m not sure if its allowed, but they could look to get Intl pool $ to offset what they are losing over luxury tax

    • robluca21

      1 month ago

      Designated for assignment means you have 10 days to trade, release or waive the player.

      Hence the term designated for assignment

      Reply
  12. Highest_IQ

    1 month ago

    Cashman is so, so smart. What exactly am I missing here?

    Reply
    • GhostofRandySavage

      1 month ago

      The thinking might be…Wandy was great, and maybe Britton is coming back and they dont want to carry 3 lh relievers

      Reply
    • ArmChairGM-

      1 month ago

      His high whip and increasing age? I dont know

      Reply
    • The Saber-toothed Superfife

      1 month ago

      Cashman is the greatest. He should hire the Superfife!

      Reply
  13. birdsfan415

    1 month ago

    orioles claim him

    Reply
  14. BigFred

    1 month ago

    Are the Dodgers still trying to fill out their bullpen?

    Reply
  15. TrillionaireTeamOperator

    1 month ago

    Surprising. Out of all their bullpen guys how was Luetge the odd man out? I get that someone had to go for Kahnle, I assume, but with Chapman off the books, Britton off the books, etc. how was Luetge of all pitchers the odd man out?

    Reply
    • YourDreamGM

      1 month ago

      36 years old and arb 2. Shown signs of decline.

      Reply
      • TrillionaireTeamOperator

        1 month ago

        Yeah I was considering that as I wrote my comment. True.

        Reply
        • LordD99

          1 month ago

          Also, keep in mind that the signing of Rodón pushes German into the pen. Michael King is also expected back at the start of the season. They have more arms than open slots in the pen. Marinaccio, who pitched well, may even start the season in AAA.

        • Dr2022

          1 month ago

          And also keep in mind steinbrenner needs his pocket change. Now he saves himself some pocket change money.

  16. GhostofRandySavage

    1 month ago

    He has the most underwhelming stuff of the staff, though effective. I feel like Britton or another lhp is in the works.

    Reply
    • Fink Ployed

      1 month ago

      Stuff is worth zilch if you can’t command it. We’ve all seen 100 MPH flamethrowers who couldn’t find the plate.

      Reply
    • DogDays2

      1 month ago

      I’m with Ghost. His numbers are pretty good but for some reason, I never had any confidence in him.

      Reply
      • Fink Ployed

        1 month ago

        That may be, but he had the same ERA as Seattle’s Paul Sewald, who saved 20 games this year, and he had a better FIP; and the only Yankee reliever who threw at least 30 innings and had a better K/BB was Michael King.

        Reply
    • Dr2022

      1 month ago

      Maybe so, but not Britton please. The dude is always injured. Or recovering from injury.

      Reply
  17. mvpetro

    1 month ago

    He was essentially a long man / mop up guy. They never used him in any high leverage situations. It was clear they the way they used him they didn’t think that highly of him

    Reply
  18. Yankeesforever

    1 month ago

    Lucas Luetge is probably ecstatic about this move. I think it comes as no surprise to Yankee fans that he HATED the way Boone managed him.

    Reply
  19. ac000000

    1 month ago

    I can’t imagine him making it to the waiver wire. Cubs should trade for him.

    Reply
  20. LordD99

    1 month ago

    The Yankees used him in very low leverage situations, and not at all in the postseason. He has some value, but not much. They found him, they’ll find someone else.

    Reply
  21. JJ 7

    1 month ago

    Gang…..designating him for assignment just means they have a week to trade him! Hopefully Cash has been speaking to a bunch of teams and has offers on the table, so this just becomes paperwork/headline fodder.

    Reply
    • mrmackey

      1 month ago

      Yeah they have to get something back for him. He’s been very solid for 2 years now.

      Wow though that the pen depth is so deep that they’re moving Luetge.

      Reply
    • Michael K. Igawa

      1 month ago

      I understand the reasoning behind this move but I still don’t like it. Luetge was out of MLB for 6 years before catching on with the Yanks in 2021. I absolutely love stories like that and I loved that it happened with the Yankees. I think several teams will be pursuing him and I wish him well in the future.

      Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 month ago

      It decreases your leverage though.

      Reply
  22. NYMetsFanatic

    1 month ago

    Calling Billy Eppler, please acquire him off waivers. We need all the quality BP reinforcement we can get.

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      1 month ago

      What’s another $15M or so for Luetge to Cohen after taxes? Yankees should charge accordingly in a trade.

      Reply
  23. angt222

    1 month ago

    He will be claimed.

    Reply
  24. just_thinkin

    1 month ago

    Gotta be a trade coming for him right?

    Reply
  25. Michael K. Igawa

    1 month ago

    If Cashman is on the ball there should certainly be a deal to be made here. Still don’t like it.

    Reply
    • Dr2022

      1 month ago

      Cashman is not on the ball, his boss had to intervene to sign the franchise player since he couldn’t do it and screwed up negotiations. Just one example.

      Reply
  26. slider32

    1 month ago

    My Met friend used to say, that Luetge sinks, how does he get people out. Well he pitched well in low leverage situations for the Yanks, Cashman has someone else he thinks can move into a higher leverage situation. It’s always a numbers game!

    Reply
  27. phuckinphill

    1 month ago

    Surprise move. Especially considering that all 29 of the other teams could find a use for him.

    Reply
  28. whyhayzee

    1 month ago

    Overused by Dr. Boonedoggle. Burned him out.

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      1 month ago

      Merry Christmas, Grinch!

      Reply
    • jopeness

      1 month ago

      Yes Boone always called him in, another Robertson overused arm and cut free before the downtime.

      Reply
    • jopeness

      1 month ago

      Yes Boone always called him in, another Robertson overused arm and cut free before the downtime. they’ll prob trade for Intl bonus pool $

      Reply
  29. chuck123

    1 month ago

    Great story of recovery from significant health issues. Gutsy guy who deserved more. He will be picked up immediately. Yankees could have packaged him in a trade…stupid

    Reply
    • RobM

      1 month ago

      Still can.

      Reply
  30. RobM

    1 month ago

    The Yankees had to open up two spots and released two intriguing relievers today. Seems like they might be able to package both of them to a team looking for a quick rebuild in their pen.

    Reply
    • jopeness

      1 month ago

      Junior Fernandez is intriguing? all I’ve read is he could never find consistency.

      Reply
  31. BaseballClassic1985

    1 month ago

    People upset about a marginal, 35 yr old reliever being dfa’d lol

    Reply
    • LordD99

      1 month ago

      And someone who the Yankees already know how they’re replacing him.

      Reply
    • rocky7

      1 month ago

      If you (baseball classic85) actually read the article, this “marginal 35 yr old reliever” performed pretty well ( see his stats) in pressure situations for the Yankees against some very tough competition especially in the AL East……he may not be a premier reliever, but can and will be a valuable asset in somebody’s bullpen going forward.

      Reply
      • BaseballClassic1985

        1 month ago

        They didn’t use him in the playoffs even though their bullpen was a mess. The writing was on the wall. They received a couple of decent years from the guy, nothing more.

        Reply
  32. Viveleempireevil

    1 month ago

    Letting go of such Luetge and Carpenter (and there will be more) risks also letting go of some strong juju they brought. But it tells me they are dead serious about overtaking the Crastros. Giddyup.

    Reply
    • jopeness

      1 month ago

      Bringing back Kahnle will spruce up the clubhouse 10 fold. Carpenter was great during his mid season run but after the injury he wasn’t ready. Those situations are season by season motivation and in the moment hype. New season new finding of motivation. Hopefully it will be like 17 and the kids are brought up to inject some energy. Cabrera started doing that last yr, hopefully they get off to a great start and then call up Peraza and/Volpe so they can get reps without insane spotlight

      Reply
  33. pinterman

    1 month ago

    Goodbye.

    Reply
  34. top jimmy

    1 month ago

    Stupid move. Donaldson is the one who needs to be DFA’d. He’s a complete waste of a roster spot. Yanks need to just eat the last year of that contract and make room for a productive player on the roster.

    Reply
    • Fink Ployed

      1 month ago

      As others have said already, there were much more logical candidates to lose their roster spot than Luetge. He was fourth in fWAR of all Yankee relievers in 2022.

      https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=9&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=20,d

      But Cashman stupidly assumed a huge salary obligation to get Donaldson, and I guess they’d rather lose a valuable reliever in a nickel-and-dime attempt to shave a million and change from the payroll than eat Donaldson’s salary.

      Reply
      • Fink Ployed

        1 month ago

        If this is Hal worrying about the luxury tax again after giving huge contracts to Judge and Rodon, it reminds me of George Costanza playing the big spender after he made a killing on a stock buy and then trying to grab back a dollar from a waitress, worried that he tipped her too much.

        Reply
    • Dr2022

      1 month ago

      Right, like they would ever just eat close to $30 million. This is the Yankees were talking about.

      Reply
  35. Fink Ployed

    1 month ago

    I really don’t understand this. Luetge ranks in the 23rd tier in fWAR among qualified relievers since 2021. If they were determined to get rid of him, they could’ve offered him as a very desirable part of a trade package instead putting themselves in the position of having to work a trade within a week or lose him for nothing. But mainly I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want to keep him at his low salary.

    https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2022&month=0&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=&enddate=

    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      1 month ago

      This doesn’t make sense from any perspective, really. From a financial standpoint, it saves them very little. From a roster standpoint there were several other players who could’ve and should’ve been DFA’d before LL. From a performance standpoint, there were several other players who should’ve been DFA’d before LL. From a trade standpoint, LL has more value in trade than do those same other prime DFA candidates.

      Essentially, any way they slice this it doesn’t appear to be a good move. Cashman tripled down on JD being their 3B for ‘23 and with this move we have only {one lefty in the bullpen} and several kids without options.

      Look at what Cohen just did with BAL & McCann. Trade him, pay 2/3 or whatever, and let another team have JD. It’s that simple. Eat it, own it, move on.

      I hate to say it, but Cohen is running circles around Hal right now. Yankees seem like they have decision paralysis at some points and then they just commit to something, even if it’s not the right something.

      Reply
  36. Brucie

    1 month ago

    This move is bad optics wise because it looks a lot like they’re salary dumping wherever they can and Leutge was selected despite good stats. Kinda reminds me of the Luis Cessa move a few years back where he was DFAd and ultimately traded for spare parts.

    That being said – if you watched yankee games this year – your eyes would show you something the stats wouldn’t. Same as Monty – yanks dont wanna use these finesse guys in high leverage when the stakes are high and if i saw him ever come in it was when the lead was safe or the game was abt to be out of hand and he was there to try to hold the deficit where it was (which he sometimes did and often didnt).

    He wont be missed

    Reply
  37. Tingles

    1 month ago

    What a weird move.

    Reply
  38. Dusty Baker's tooth pick.

    1 month ago

    Alex anthopolous is licking his chops as we speak.

    Reply

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