Tampa Bay Rays make smart move with Aaron Loup

The Tampa Bay Rays added some bullpen depth on Monday, signing Aaron Loup to a minor league deal.

Over the years, the Tampa Bay Rays have done a tremendous job at finding relievers on the scrap heap. From the likes of Fernando Rodney and Kyle Farnsworth to Sergio Romo and Oliver Drake,  the Rays have had a knack for pouncing on underappreciated relievers and making them a valued commodity.

That ability to find relievers may be in force once again. On Monday, the Rays signed former Blue Jays lefty Aaron Loup to a minor league deal, inviting him to the major league portion of spring training.

Last year was a lost season for Loup, as he missed the majority of 2019 with an elbow strain. When he was on the mound, he was effective, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five batters in his 3.1 innings of work.

Prior to that point, Loup was an overall solid, if inconsistent, reliever. From 2012 through 2018, he logged a respectable 3.49 ERA and a 1.271 WHiP, striking out 299 batters with just 99 walks over his 322.2 innings.

Loup is also more than a lefty specialist. While he has been more effective against left handed hitters, holding them to a .234/.303/.320 batting line over 585 plate appearances, he has been solid against righties. Right handed hitters have a career .270/.339/.424 batting line, which is certainly decent enough.

The Rays do have an opening or two in the bullpen, especially with Emilio Pagan having been dealt to San Diego. Loup is not going to be a factor in the battle to replace Pagan, as he has not had a save since 2014. However, he is a solid middle reliever who can thrive with the new three batter minimum rules in place.

The Tampa Bay Rays have gone back to the scrap heap once again, signing Aaron Loup to a minor league deal. Based on their track record, there is every reason to expect that this move will pay off for the Rays.