Blue Jays Targeting Kirby Yates
4 years agoThe Toronto Blue Jays are targeting free-agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates, according to a source. Yates is in Florida on Tuesday to meet with the team, and it comes a day after Toronto added right-hander Tyler Chatwood to their bullpen on a one-year deal. Yates had an excellent 1.19 ERA with 41 saves while striking out 15 hitters per nine innings with the Padres in 2019, but he allowed six runs in just 4 1/3 innings before having surgery to fix bone chips in his right elbow in 2020. He also had a 2.14 ERA in 65 games for San Diego in 2018 and can be an elite closer with a nasty splitter and four-seam fastball that averages 93.5 mph. Yates will be 34 before Opening Day, but he'd have a clear path to closer duties with the Jays if he were to sign with them. If he signs with Toronto, he'll be a potential value pick as a closer.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson