The Los Angeles Dodgers are flexing their might and their cash yet again. The franchise, in the midst of the biggest spending spree for a reigning World Series champion in 25 years, appears to be continuing to add to its cart and is in serious discussions with free-agent reliever Kirby Yates, a league source told The Athletic.
Any deal would be contingent on passing a physical. USA Today first reported the serious talks between the two sides on Tuesday morning.
Signing the 37-year-old Yates would be the second major move the Dodgers have made in their bullpen in the last few days after they landed Tanner Scott on a four-year, $72 million deal on Sunday. Yates, who had a 1.17 ERA in 61 appearances for the Texas Rangers last season, served as a contingency plan for Scott, as the Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday. But after landing their top offseason relief target in Scott, it appears the Dodgers have proceeded anyway with their interest in the 10-year big league veteran.
Yates’ peripherals appeared equally impressive last season, with a 2.50 FIP and a fastball that remained among the most effective in the sport despite averaging just 93.2 mph, according to Statcast. Should a deal be finalized, Yates on paper should give the Dodgers a champagne problem: too many good relievers to choose from.
As it stands, essentially the entire Dodgers bullpen on paper cannot be optioned to the minor leagues (Alex Vesia, the lone one with an option remaining, was one of the best relievers in baseball last season). With the Dodgers running a six-man starting rotation next season, that means virtually no flexibility with their pitching staff.
But given the workload the Dodgers’ bullpen endured a year ago — ranking fifth in innings pitched during the regular season and used heavily for bullpen games throughout their successful run in October — perhaps extra insurance policies are necessary. Brusdar Graterol already underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to be out until at least midseason. Vesia had to miss the National League Championship Series due to an intercostal injury. Evan Phillips was left off the World Series roster at the last minute because he could not pitch any longer through a shoulder issue. Michael Kopech dealt with a forearm issue throughout the postseason, league sources said, but it was not deemed to be anything he couldn’t pitch through.
It’s a puzzle that still needs to be sorted out, especially if Yates’ deal becomes official. But coming off an extended season that started last March and ran through to late October, and with an abbreviated offseason due to another early start (the Dodgers open in March in Tokyo), the Dodgers need the bodies. They just happened to choose one of the more effective relievers in baseball a year ago.
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