The Dodgers they look at right-hand pitcher Kirby Yates, according to famed Los Angeles Times journalist Jorge Castillo, who adds that “they have a significant interest in him.” Yates shouldn’t cost as much as Liam Hendriks o Brad HandMissing most of last season with elbow issues, the former Padres closer could be a relatively low risk option with high rewards for any team that hires him.
After all, the 33-year-old Hawaiian is just two seasons away from a ridiculous 1.19 ERA with a 41.6 percent strikeout rate and a 5.3 percent walk rate in 60 2/3 innings.
Yates also saved 41 games, the highest in NL, 44 times that year. A Yates signing for the Dodgers would be somewhat like 2020 additions like Blake Trains and Jake McGee in that they would get a proven reliever whose stock isn’t at all-time high in a short-term deal.
Both acquisitions worked well for Los Angeles last season, and the team was so impressed with Trains’ work that it returned him with a two-year, $ 17.5 million free agency warranty.