Dodgers Continue to Build a Superteam with Kirby Yates Signing
In a move that has the baseball world buzzing, the Los Angeles Dodgers have reached an agreement with right-handed reliever Kirby Yates on a one-year, $13 million contract, according to sources who spoke with ESPN. This signing is yet another step in the Dodgers’ quest to construct a superteam poised to dominate the 2025 season as heavy World Series favorites.
Yates, at 37 years old, is coming off a stellar season where he was one of the top relievers in baseball. He posted a remarkable 1.17 ERA over 61⅔ innings, striking out 85 batters while walking 27, and saving 33 games for Texas. Now, he joins a Dodgers bullpen that has already seen the addition of closer Tanner Scott, the re-signing of fireman Blake Treinen, and the return of right-hander Michael Kopech and left-hander Alex Vesia.
But the Dodgers’ pitching prowess doesn’t stop at the bullpen. Their starting rotation is equally formidable, featuring the likes of Shohei Ohtani, free agent signing Blake Snell, and right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Landon Knack. The likely return of left-hander Clayton Kershaw only adds to their depth, making the Dodgers’ pitching staff arguably the deepest in baseball as they aim to become the first repeat World Series champions in a quarter-century.
Yates’ journey to this point is nothing short of inspiring. A late bloomer, he didn’t make it to a big league roster until he was 27. Despite this, he has carved out an impressive career, saving 95 games and earning two All-Star selections, including one last year. Yates is known for his ability to rack up strikeouts, even without a blazing fastball. His secret weapon? A devastating split-fingered fastball. His 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings rank sixth all-time among pitchers with at least 400 innings, trailing only the likes of Aroldis Chapman, Josh Hader, Edwin Diaz, Craig Kimbrel, and former Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen.
Yates’ contract includes $500,000 bonuses for reaching 50- and 55-appearance thresholds, adding an extra incentive for him to continue his dominant performance. This $13 million deal pushes the Dodgers’ offseason spending to over $450 million guaranteed. This includes the free agent signings of Snell, Scott, Treinen, outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Michael Conforto, infielder Hyeseong Kim, and a contract extension for super-utility man Tommy Edman.
With a luxury-tax payroll projected to be around $390 million, the Dodgers are set to exceed the $241 million threshold, resulting in a total payroll likely surpassing $500 million. This level of spending has not gone unnoticed, with other team owners, such as the New York Yankees’ Hal Steinbrenner, expressing their views. Steinbrenner told YES Network, “it’s difficult for most of us owners to be able to do the kinds of things they’re doing.”
- Yates’ 2024 Stats: 1.17 ERA, 61⅔ innings, 85 strikeouts, 27 walks, 33 saves
- Dodgers’ Offseason Spending: Over $450 million guaranteed
- Luxury-Tax Payroll: Around $390 million
As the Dodgers continue to build their superteam, the baseball world watches with anticipation. Will their investments pay off with another World Series title? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Dodgers are all in for 2025.
Originally Written by: Jeff Passan
