The Atlanta Braves added to their bullpen before the potential lockout, signing former All-Star closer Kirby Yates.
The Atlanta Braves reached an agreement with former All-Star closer Kirby Yates on Monday. The deal is worth two-years $8.25M with a third-year option for $5.75M that includes a $1.25M buyout.
Right-handed reliever Kirby Yates and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a two-year, $8.25 million contract that includes a third-year club option for $5.75 million with a $1.25 million buyout, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2021
Yates has not pitched since 2020 due to having Tommy John surgery back in March of 2021. He only pitched in six games in 2020, pitching only 4.2 innings with a 12.46 ERA, essentially equaling two lost years for the reliever.
However, it was not that long ago that Yates was an All-Star closer out of the bullpen for the San Diego Padres.
In 2019, Yates pitched to a 1.19 ERA, 2.19 xERA, 1.30 FIP, 2.25 xFIP, 2.05 SIERA, and a 354 ERA+. This included a 41.6% strikeout rate and a miniscule 5.3% walk rate.
In 60 games out of the bullpen, he was worth a 3.4 fWAR and a 2.9 bWAR. Truly a remarkable, dominating season out of the bullpen.
The Night Shift Adds Another?
As mentioned, it has been two lost years for Yates. Almost making 2019 a distant memory.
This is a guy that for his career has pitched to a 3.54 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 3.18 xFIP, 2.63 SIERA, and a 115 ERA+. If he is healthy, and bounces back, this is a tremendous add to the backend of the Braves bullpen.
If he slots into a 7th or 8th inning role, and regains his pre 2020 form, then “The Night Shift” got better today. It benefits that he is a righty, because the Braves only had one right-hander they truly trusted last in Luke Jackson.
AJ Minter, Tyler Matzek, and Will Smith showed they could get anyone out in the playoffs, but it is nice to add a non-lefty reliever to the bullpen. Especially if guys like Chris Martin and Richard Rodríguez cannot bounce back after disappointing 2021 stints with the Braves.
Yates could be a big signing to give Brian Snitker another late inning option to close out games. Plus, sometimes smaller signings like this are indicators of a bigger move on the way.
Adding Kirby Yates is a great start, but this could be an interesting off-season to follow as a Braves fan.