*Photo from TSN*
With Richard Rodriguez being non-tendered out of the plans, the Atlanta Braves needed a leverage reliever to replace him. The Braves and RHP Kirby Yates have agreed to a two year, $8.25 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Braves have confirmed the deal.
In his deal, Yates gets a second year because he is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in March of last season, so he was unable to throw a pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays after signing a one year deal with Toronto last offseason. There is also a team option for the 2024 season worth $5.75 million, with a $1.25 million buyout. Yates is estimated to return sometime around mid season, barring any setbacks.
The Braves had interest in Yates, who has now undergone Tommy John surgery twice, last offseason, but, after examining his elbow in a physical, had significantly lowered the amount of guaranteed money he would have gotten, as did the Blue Jays. Yates ultimately didn't sign, but it wouldn't have mattered if he did.
In his last fully healthy season in 2019, Yates made the all star game with dominant numbers as the closer for the San Diego Padres. Yates had a 0-5 record with a 1.19 ERA and 0.89 WHIP, striking out 101 hitters while throwing 60 2/3 innings, picking up a career best 41 saves in 60 relief appearances. In 2020, he made just 6 appearances and had two saves before experiencing another injury.
Across 7 seasons in the majors, split between 4 different teams, Yates has a 12-17 record with a 3.54 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, saving 57 games while totaling 282 1/3 innings pitched, making 291 relief appearances in his career. Yates has never been on a playoff team in his career, so he has no playoff stats to mention here.
Yates will join a Braves bullpen that was nicknamed "the gas station" and "the nightshift" among others, during their incredible run to the 2021 World Series, headlined by Will Smith, AJ Minter, Tyler Matzek, and Luke Jackson. The 3.94 regular season ERA by that group was good for 7th best in the NL last season.
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