The Los Angeles Dodgers, who already have folks screaming about their payroll, have reached a tentative agreement with free-agent closer Kirby Yates, pending a physical. The deal comes on the heels of signing Tanner Scott to a 4-year, $72 million contract.
Dodgers sign former Blue Jay Kirby Yates
Photo credit: © Kevin Jairaj - USA Today
Jan 21, 2025, 17:30 ESTUpdated: Jan 21, 2025, 19:04 EST
The rich got richer on Tuesday.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Los Angeles Dodgers have an agreement on a contract with Kirby Yates.
It’s unclear what the contract specifics are, but the Dodgers once again added a good player. Last season with the Texas Rangers, Yates had a 1.17 ERA and a 2.50 FIP in 61.2 innings pitched, with a 35.9 K% and an 11.8 BB%. His other best season came in 2019 with the San Diego Padres, where he had a 1.19 ERA and a 1.30 FIP in 60.2 innings pitched with a 41.6 K% and a 5.3 BB%.
For his career, Yates has a 3.17 ERA and a 3.51 FIP in 411.1 innings pitched, with a 35.9 K% and a 9.6 BB%. He also has 95 saves in 109 opportunities, with 33 of them coming last season and 41 of them coming in 2019.
Yates is a former Blue Jay, signing a one-year deal with the team before the 2021 season. Unfortunately, he never pitched with the Jays, as he underwent Tommy John surgery during Spring Training. A reunion would’ve made sense with the Blue Jays, as they’ve been looking to add another reliever, most recently being linked to Carlos Estévez.
The Dodgers have been busy this off-season, despite winning the 2024 World Series. So far, they’ve added Blake Snell, Rōki Sasaki, Michael Conforto, Hyeseong Kim, and most recently, Tanner Scott. They also re-signed another former Blue Jay in Teoscar Hernández, while trading former top prospect Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds for Mike Sirota and a draft pick.
If you’re a Dodgers fan, this is a terrific off-season given that they’re coming off their fourth World Series in franchise history. If you’re a fan of the 29 other teams in Major League Baseball, this is terrible and it may be time for the league to consider implementing a salary cap and floor. Fortunately, this gives non-Dodger fans a common enemy to root against, much like the New York Yankees back in the 1990s.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
Breaking News
- A healthy Yimi García should be a huge part of the Blue Jays’ bullpen in 2026
- Blue Jays outright Yariel Rodriguez from 40-man roster
- Blue Jays draftee Chase Brunson ranks on MLB Pipeline’s recent top 100 draft list
- Former Blue Jay Will Robertson claimed off waivers by the Orioles
- Chatting with Blue Jays prospect Reece Wissinger ahead of his first pro season