Angels Sign Kirby Yates: Veteran Reliever Adds Late-Inning Depth

The Los Angeles Angels made a notable move to bolster their bullpen by signing veteran reliever Kirby Yates to a one-year, $5 million contract.

They officially announced the signing on January 6. Yates brings experience, upside, and a familiar face to the Angels’ pitching staff as the club keeps reshaping its roster for 2025.

Angels Add Experience to the Back End of the Bullpen

The Angels’ acquisition of Yates marks another step in an aggressive offseason focused on stabilizing late-game pitching.

At 38, Yates brings a lengthy track record and some recent flashes of elite performance. He gives Los Angeles a proven arm for high-leverage innings.

With Yates signed, the Angels’ 40-man roster sits at 38 players. That leaves a bit of flexibility as spring training approaches.

The front office clearly believes that experience and upside can coexist, even if durability questions linger.

A Reunion That Could Pay Dividends

One intriguing angle here: Yates reunites with pitching coach Mike Maddux, who worked with him last season in Texas.

That familiarity might make Yates’ transition smoother and help him tap into the success he found with the Rangers.

Maddux has a knack for getting the most out of veteran arms. The Angels are betting that his chemistry with Yates will translate quickly.

Kirby Yates’ Career Arc Tells a Story of Resilience

Yates’ career hasn’t followed a straight line. He broke out at age 30 with the Padres and became one of baseball’s most dominant relievers.

He put up 355 innings, a 2.84 ERA, 97 saves, and 65 holds with a wild 35.1% strikeout rate.

His peak came in 2019, when he led the National League with 41 saves and posted an ERA under 1.20.

That season really cemented his status as an elite closer.

Still Capable of Dominance

Injuries slowed him down in the early 2020s, but Yates reminded everyone of his ceiling in 2024 with Texas.

He posted a brilliant 1.17 ERA and struck out 36% of opposing hitters. Those numbers put him among the most effective relievers in the game.

That kind of performance probably convinced the Angels to take a shot.

Injuries Remain the Biggest Question

No one can ignore Yates’ durability concerns. He missed most of 2020–22 after Tommy John surgery and some bone spur issues, tossing just 11 1/3 MLB innings in that stretch.

More recently, a one-year, $13 million deal with the Dodgers didn’t really pan out. Hamstring and back problems contributed to a 5.23 ERA over 41 1/3 innings.

The Risk-Reward Equation

For $5 million, the Angels are making a low-risk, high-reward bet. If Yates stays healthy, he’s already shown he can perform at an elite level.

If not, the financial risk isn’t huge. That’s just how it goes sometimes with relievers in their late 30s.

How Yates Fits Into the Angels’ Bullpen Plans

The Angels have quietly stacked up veteran relievers this offseason, building a bullpen full of names but not much certainty.

• Jordan Romano
• Drew Pomeranz
• Robert Stephenson

Yates joins that group as a possible stabilizer. He can close or bridge to the ninth inning, depending on matchups and health.

Payroll Implications and Final Thoughts

The financial impact of the deal is still a bit murky. Anthony Rendon deferred the final year and $38 million of his contract, which complicates things.

Before that deferment, the Angels’ payroll sat around $172 million.

The Yates signing shows a franchise that’s hunting for both reliability and upside. The Angels want to matter again, and if Kirby Yates can stay healthy, maybe he’s the guy who helps swing a few close games their way.

 
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