Angels Sign Reliever Kirby Yates to One-Year MLB Deal

The Los Angeles Angels are turning to experience again as they try to steady their bullpen. They’ve agreed to a one-year deal with veteran reliever Kirby Yates.

This move reunites Yates with a pitching coach who helped unlock one of the best seasons of his career. It also hints at the Angels’ ongoing hope for bounce-back performances over chasing safe, predictable options.

Angels Take a Calculated Gamble on Kirby Yates

Reports say the Angels have a one-year contract in place with Yates, pending a physical. At 38, Yates just finished a rough 2025 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where things didn’t really pan out.

For the Angels, though, this signing isn’t about his recent struggles. They’re looking to tap into what worked for him before.

Yates pitched in 50 games for the Dodgers last year and ended up with a 5.23 ERA. He didn’t make the Dodgers’ postseason roster, which says a lot about his role at the end.

The Angels seem to think a new environment—and a familiar voice in the clubhouse—could bring out a different side of Yates.

The Mike Maddux Factor

One big reason the Angels felt confident is Yates’ reunion with pitching coach Mike Maddux. Maddux played a huge part in Yates’ resurgence with the Texas Rangers in 2024.

That season, Yates turned in some eye-popping numbers:

He made his second All-Star team that year. The Angels are clearly hoping Maddux can help Yates find that groove again.

A Career Built on Highs and Lows

Yates’ 11-year major-league journey has seen both dominance and some tough stretches. He’s pitched for seven teams and put together a 3.36 ERA with 623 strikeouts against 181 walks in 452 2/3 innings.

Not many relievers get these chances at his age, but Yates’ history keeps him in the mix. His best season came in 2019 with the San Diego Padres, when he led all of MLB with 41 saves.

That run made him one of the game’s most intimidating closers, even if injuries and inconsistency followed later.

Angels Continue to Stockpile Veteran Relievers

Yates isn’t the Angels’ first bullpen addition this offseason. He’s actually the third veteran reliever they’ve signed to a one-year deal, after Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz.

The strategy? Go for experience, short contracts, and flexibility. The Angels want to see which arms still have something left, without tying themselves down.

It also shows they believe coaching and the right environment can squeeze more out of veteran pitchers, even if the recent stats look a little shaky.

A Bounce-Back Bet with Limited Risk

The Angels aren’t asking Kirby Yates to be the dominant closer he once was. They just want him to be serviceable and, hopefully, dependable.

If he can find even a bit of his 2024 form, this signing could really pay off. Otherwise, the financial and roster risk stays pretty minimal, so it’s not a huge gamble.

WHDH in Boston first reported Yates’ agreement with the Angels. The deal still needs a physical before it becomes official.

This franchise keeps searching for bullpen stability. Honestly, this move feels like a mix of hope, a dash of familiarity, and maybe some faith that experience still counts—especially with the right support.

Relief pitching can make or break a season in this league. The Angels are rolling the dice again, and Kirby Yates gets another shot at a new chapter.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Source: Angels, P Yates agree on one-year deal