The Dodgers are constructing an excellent bullpen to spherical out their tremendous group.
Los Angeles has agreed to a one-year contract with right-handed reliever Kirby Yates, sources instructed MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Tuesday. The membership has not confirmed the deal, which is anticipated to be value $13 million, although he could make one other $500K at 50 appearances and one other $500K at 55 appearances, per a supply.
The transfer comes after the group signed Tanner Scott, the highest lefty reliever obtainable, and it rounds out a bullpen that features Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia.
The additions of Yates and Scott seem like the cherry on prime of this frenzied Dodgers offseason. Los Angeles landed ace right-hander Roki Sasaki from Japan, the newest in a collection of main strikes so as to add to the lineup and rotation. If there was one (relative) flaw on the roster, it was the bullpen.
That’s now not the case. The Dodgers have added two All-Star-caliber closers within the span of days.
Yates was elite in Texas final season, posting a 1.17 ERA throughout 61 appearances whereas incomes his second journey to the All-Star Recreation and All-MLB honors for a second time.
Yates’ 10-year huge league profession has been an interesting one. He was a journeyman reliever till he was claimed off waivers by the Padres simply after turning 30. It was there that he reinvented himself, honing a wipeout splitter and turning into one of many sport’s premier strikeout artists.
Yates excelled in 4 seasons with the Padres, however he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in 2021 and missed the season and a lot of the following one. He signed with Atlanta, having fun with a renaissance in his mid-30s, handing over a stable season on the ’23 Braves, then a dominant one final yr with the Rangers.
In Texas, Yates notched a 35.9% strikeout price and a .145 batting common towards. He used his trademark fastball/splitter combo — with a bit extra emphasis on the fastball, which he threw at a 61% clip final yr. Regardless of its middling velocity (a median of 93.4 mph), it graded out as among the finest pitches in baseball.
Yates’ arrival solidifies the Dodgers’ bullpen as a transparent power — nevertheless risky bullpens may be. It’s a bunch that boasts a number of choices at nearer.
It’s been 1 / 4 century since any group has repeated as World Collection champions. The Dodgers proceed to maneuver with a transparent objective of ending that drought.
