Dodgers Make Surpise Move, Sign All-Star Reliever Kirby Yates: Report
The Los Angeles Dodgers stunned Major League Baseball again Tuesday morning when they reportedly added free agent reliever Kirby Yates to their bullpen.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported Yates’ signing with a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“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,” he wrote.
The Dodgers reportedly were interested in Yates and had a couple of conversations with him before signing left-handed reliever Tanner Scott to a massive four-year, $72 million deal Sunday.
It turns out, the Dodgers didn’t move on from the two-time All-Star and brought him on on board as Nightengale also reported that Michael Kopech could miss the first month of the season.
Yates is coming off of a phenomenal 2024 season throwing 61.2 innings and compiling a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves for the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers. He finished 50 games, and struck out 85 batters over the course of the season.
Throughout his 10-year MLB career, Yates has played for six teams: The San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Rays, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, and Texas Rangers. He also signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021 but missed the season due to Tommy John surgery.
Across 422 regular season games, Yates has compiled a 3.17 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP, solidifying his reputation as a reliable reliever.
With the addition of Yates, the Dodgers’ payroll is now projected to surpass $380 million. Their offseason acquisitions feature a star-studded lineup, including Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Hyeseong Kim, and Michael Conforto. They’ve also re-signed key players in Blake Treinen and Teoscar Hernández.
More news: Kenley Jansen Reveals He’s Open to Reunion With Dodgers in Free Agency
More news: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Played Key Role in Dodgers Signing Roki Sasaki
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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Wow! Dodgers are ready to roll!! Lets Geaux Dodgers!!! New Orleans Dodger
Listen, so I’m a diehard Dodgers fan. But is anyone else slightly embarrassed by this offseason? I mean, I love watching my Dodgers win, and I know you can’t “buy” a championship, but this offseason for the Dodgers has been even more ridiculous than last season. It’s just nuts!
Why haven’t they sign Keke back come on dodgers do the right thing
Dodgers had a big advantage with the Spectrum money, people may complain they bought a team. But how many times has someone else received a large amount of money and either blew it or simply kept it. They have invested wisely, I’m very proud of them, very proud… My first Dodger game was a Double Header, Johnny Padres and Roger Craig,