3 Rays players Phillies still wish they had on their roster
By Matt Rappa
2. LHP Aaron Loup
Left-handed reliever Aaron Loup began the first seven seasons of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, where in 369 appearances from 2012-18, he posted a 3.47 ERA and 1.271 WHIP.
Then came the July 31, 2018, trade deadline, when the Blue Jays dealt their long-time bullpen arm to the Phillies in exchange for then-minor league RHP Jacob Waguespack — who has since appeared in 27 games for the American League East club. Among the other pieces the Phillies acquired around the same time included catcher Wilson Ramos, infielders Asdrubal Cabrera and Justin Bour, outfielder Jose Bautista, and left-handed pitcher Luis Avilan.
Loup made nine appearances with the Phillies to finish out their 2018 season, the first of two non-postseason finishes under then-manager Gabe Kapler. Across four innings in those outings, he yielded four hits, a pair of runs, and one walk, while punching out two of his 17 batters faced.
Similar to Morton’s brief, yet seemingly average stint while donning red pinstripes, the Phillies also chose to not bring back Loup — a decision they likely now regret.
Loup has played in 28 regular season games since, some with the San Diego Padres in 2019, but most coming this season with the Rays. Of those outings, he went 3-2 with a 2.22 ERA and 0.847 WHIP. And, so far this postseason, Loup has been a tremendously valuable asset for the Kevin Cash-led Rays — throwing a combined three scoreless innings in five games (four coming in the American League Championship Series opposite the Astros).