Cody Snavely
According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have inked all-star closer Kirby Yates to a 1-year, $13 million contract for the 2025 season, adding him to an already stacked bullpen.
However, the deal has the potential to reach $14 million if the 37-year-old righty can reach the fifty-five games mark or $500K for fifty games and another $500K for reaching fifty-five.
The incentives on the deal should be easily obtainable, barring any unforeseen lengthy injury, as Yates has reached at least sixty innings and made sixty-one appearances in each of the last two seasons.
Yates, 37, is one of the older relief pitching arms on the market but has been steller throughout his career with a 3.17 ERA in 411.2 innings pitched.
A former all-star closer for the National League West rival, the San Diego Padres, Yates hit a stumble in his career after the 2020 season, in which he posted a career-high 12.46 ERA before missing the entire 2021 season with Tommy John Surgery.
Yates would rebound well with the Atlanta Braves bullpen, posting a 3.28 ERA and collecting five saves in 60.1 innings, but would turn back the clock this past season.
Yates was one of the best pitchers in the American League last season with the Texas Rangers. Last season, he reverted back to his pre-2020 self, pitching to a 1.17 ERA, 0.827 WHIP, 12.4 K/9, and thirty-three saves in 61.1 innings pitched.
Due to his success with Yates and the Rangers amid their World Series hangover, his name was popular in many trade discussions, but ultimately, nothing ever came up.
Still, Yates put together a remarkable 2024 campaign, including ranking 2nd in ERA (1.17), 1st in AVG (.111), 6th in K% (35.9%), 8th in WHIP (0.83), 10th in FIP (2.50) and 12th in K/BB (24.1).
However, the Dodgers still have to make a 40-man roster move before they can make the Yates signing official, as after the signing of lefty closer Tanner Scott, the roster is now full.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, the Dodgers have been shopping their plethora of extra arms, with veteran righty Ryan Braiser being a possible name to get the boot via trade.
Theoretically, the Dodgers and Yates could push off an official announcement until February 10th, when the 60-day Injured List officially opens, creating the roster space needed as multiple arms are transferred to it. Still, with it being weeks away, that remains unlikely.
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