The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly reached a tentative agreement with free-agent reliever Kirby Yates, pending a physical examination. This move comes shortly after the Dodgers signed left-hander Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million contract, further bolstering their bullpen. Yates, 37, had an impressive 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, recording 33 saves, a 7-2 record, and a 1.17 ERA over 61 relief appearances.
Yates’ addition enhances an already formidable Dodgers pitching staff, which includes starters like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and newly signed Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers’ aggressive offseason acquisitions have led some to label them as MLB’s new “Evil Empire,” a title previously associated with the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers’ willingness to invest heavily in their roster contrasts with the Boston Red Sox’s more conservative approach in recent years. While the Red Sox have been hesitant to commit to large contracts, the Dodgers’ latest moves, including the reported signing of Yates, highlight their commitment to building a championship-caliber team. This disparity in spending strategies has drawn attention and criticism from various corners of the baseball world.
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