Blue Jays Add Kirby Yates On One-Year Deal
4 years agoThe Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal with right-hander Kirby Yates on Tuesday, according to a source. The deal includes $4.5 million in performance bonuses for appearances and awards. The Blue Jays also added right-hander Tyler Chatwood on a one-year deal on Monday, and he's expected to work out of the bullpen. Yates was elite in 2019 with the Padres, posting a 1.19 ERA with 41 saves while striking out 15 hitters per nine innings. But he underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow in 2020 and allowed six runs in just 4 1/3 innings. Toronto lost former closer Ken Giles to Tommy John surgery, so Yates will have a clear path to ninth-inning duties in 2021, making him a worthwhile closer investment at a discounted rate. The Blue Jays filled the closer role with a combination of Jordan Romano, Rafael Dolis, Anthony Bass and A.J. Cole last year when Giles was injured.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson