The Yankees have acquired Tommy Kahnle on three different occasions. Could there be a fourth time for the right-hander in The Bronx?
There is interest from both sides on a potential reunion for Kahnle, who had a strong season with the Yankees and pitched fairly well in the playoffs until an ugly final outing that helped cost the Yankees in their season-ending loss to the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series, when Kahnle was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning and allowed all three batters he faced to reach base.
Afterward, Kahnle expressed a desire to stay with the team that first drafted him in 2010, traded for him in 2017 and signed him as a free agent following the 2022 season.
Kahnle was part of a relief corps that was at times dominant, while lacking in big names. He’s one of three key members of the pen on the open market, along with Clay Holmes and lefty Tim Hill.
Holmes seems likely to land elsewhere and, as The Post’s Joel Sherman reported, has drawn interest as a starting pitcher.
Hill, claimed off waivers by the Yankees after the White Sox released him in July, emerged as a much-needed left-handed weapon after other options like Victor Gonzalez failed.
Hill, who turns 35 in February, is also expected to have a healthy market and there are more than a handful of teams interested in Kahnle.
For the Yankees, they’re looking at a pen potentially anchored by Luke Weaver after he proved to be a capable closer, as well as other reclamation projects that remain on the roster like Ian Hamilton and Jake Cousins.
Mark Leiter Jr. will be back despite an inconsistent few months in The Bronx after arriving in a trade from the Cubs. Scott Effross is another trade deadline acquisition from Chicago — in 2022 — who hasn’t regained his form after Tommy John surgery two years ago.
Kahnle is comfortable with the Yankees, who clearly like the reliever, who’s been nagged by injuries through much of his career.
Although he’s put up solid numbers, Kahnle hasn’t pitched more than the 42 ²/₃ regular-season innings he put up this past season since 2019. He’s missed time each of the past two years with right shoulder inflammation.
“I’ve been drafted here and brought back twice,” Kahnle said after the final game. “I love being a Yankee. I’d love to finish my career here.”
Prior to his Game 5 letdown, Kahnle hadn’t allowed a run in 8 ²/₃ postseason innings.
Unlike the starting pitching market, which has moved quickly — with notable deals handed out to Blake Snell, Frankie Montas and Matt Boyd — there haven’t been any multiyear contracts for relief pitchers so far this offseason.