Dodgers Supercharge Their Bullpen with Kirby Yates – The Final Championship Piece?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are assembling a super bullpen to complement their star-studded roster. Their latest move? A one-year, $13 million contract with right-handed reliever Kirby Yates was officially announced on Thursday. In a corresponding move, right-hander Ryan Brasier was designated for assignment to free up a 40-man roster spot.

This acquisition comes just days after the Dodgers landed Tanner Scott, the top left-handed reliever available. With these additions, Los Angeles has transformed its bullpen from a potential weak spot into a dominant force.

Yates: A Proven Closer Coming Off an Elite Season

At age 38, Yates is still dealing. Last season with the Texas Rangers, he posted a jaw-dropping 1.17 ERA across 61 appearances, earning his second All-Star selection and All-MLB honors.

“I still felt [last] year that I could really pitch at a high, high level, and I proved that to myself,” Yates said during his introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium. “I still think I’ve got a few more good years.“

The Grinder’s Journey: From Journeyman to Elite Reliever

Yates’ big league career has been anything but conventional. Once considered a journeyman reliever, he was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres just after turning 30. It was there that he reinvented himself, developing a devastating wipeout splitter and becoming one of MLB’s premier strikeout artists.

He excelled over four seasons with the Padres, but in 2021, Tommy John surgery sidelined him for almost two full seasons. Many doubted his return to dominance, but Yates silenced critics with a strong 2023 season with the Atlanta Braves, followed by a dominant 2024 campaign with the Rangers.

“You’re also getting the definition of a grinder and a great teammate with Kirby,” Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said. “He’s overcome long odds from being a non-drafted free agent, persevered through injury, and emerged as one of the game’s best relievers.“

Elite Stuff: The Fastball-Splitter Combo That Dominates Hitters

With Texas, Yates posted an impressive 35.9% strikeout rate and held opponents to a minuscule.145 batting average. His signature fastball/splitter combo remains lethal, with a 61% fastball usage rate last season. Despite its average velocity of 93.4 mph, the pitch was graded out as one of the best in baseball.

Now, Yates brings that dominance to Los Angeles, where he has a special family connection.

A Homecoming of Sorts: Yates’ Dodgers Connection

Though he grew up in Hawaii, Yates’ family ties to Southern California run deep. Both of his parents were lifelong Dodgers fans, making this signing a personal milestone.

“This hadn’t really sunk in until a few days ago, to kind of understand the meaning behind it for my family,” Yates said. “My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since the news broke. Everyone close to me is beyond excited, and so am I.“

Adding another layer of familiarity, Yates and Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes go way back—they were teammates in the Rays’ organization in the early 2010s.

The Super Bullpen Is Set—Can the Dodgers End the Drought?

With Yates now in the mix, the Dodgers’ bullpen is stacked. They boast multiple closer-caliber relievers, including Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, and Alex Vesia.

“On paper, it’s probably as good as it can get, really,” Yates said. “You can say that for the entire roster. The more guys we have that can be trusted in high-leverage situations, the better it is for everyone.“

With the Dodgers in full championship mode, they’re gunning to become the first team in 25 years to repeat as World Series champions. Will this be the move that finally ends the drought?