Could a reunion with Kirby Bates be on the horizon for the Toronto Blue Jays?

The word “reunion” is a bit misleading, as he never pitched for the Jays. Before the start of the 2021 season, the Blue Jays and Yates agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal. However, the right-handed pitcher required Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season.
Since then, the veteran reliever has gone on to rebuild his stock and could get a big final payday as he’ll be 38 years old when the season begins. Let’s look at his numbers, his projected contract, and whether or not he’s a fit.
<h2>Kirby Yates’ stats</h2>
Yates led the National League in saves with 41 in 2019, thanks to a 1.19 ERA and a 1.30 FIP. However, he missed all but 4.1 innings in 2020 due to an elbow injury. Still, the Jays felt it was worth it to give him a one-year deal.
As we learned before the season even started, that risk did not pan out. Yates was set to become an important reliever, probably even the team’s closer, and putting all the eggs in that basket had the butterfly effect of costing the Blue Jays a postseason spot in 2021 thanks to an awful bullpen to start the season.
Anyway, Yates returned to action in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves and didn’t pitch well. It wasn’t until 2023 when he looked like he was returning to form, as he had a 3.28 ERA and a 4.63 FIP in 60.1 innings pitched, along with a 31.5 K% and a 14.6 BB%. The 2023 season earned him a shot as the Texas Rangers closer.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Kirby Yates, K&#39;ing the Side in the 9th. <a href="https://t.co/zGYjfjm1eT">pic.twitter.com/zGYjfjm1eT</a>
&mdash; Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) <a href="https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1831882674405044637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And oh boy, was Yates terrific in 2019. It’s safe to say at the age of 37 years old, Kirby Yates is back. Last season, he finished the year with a 1.17 ERA and a 2.50 FIP in 61.2 innings pitched, picking up 33 saves in 34 opportunities. Moreover, Yates struck out 35.9% of batters, his highest percentage since the 2019 season when he struck out 41.6% of batters. Albeit, his walk rate sat at 11.8%, far off the control and command he showed early in his big league career.
<h2>Kirby Yates’ contract outlook</h2>
<a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/market-value/_/id/15678/kirby-yates">According to Sportrac</a>, Yates’ market value currently sits at $6 million, with him projected to earn a one-year deal worth $6.012 million. His age and injury history make him a risk, but the reward is absolutely worth it, as he would instantly become one of the best, if not the best, reliever in the Jays bullpen.
<h2>Is Kirby Yates a fit for the Blue Jays</h2>
You don’t even need to think about this one. Despite being 38 years old, Yates had a great season and there’s history between the two teams.
As long as Yates doesn’t want a 2-year, $20 million deal, you have to imagine the Blue Jays will be all over him. If the Jays can sign him anywhere close to Sportrac’s value, or even what they signed him for before the 2021 season, get it done.
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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

Could a reunion with Kirby Bates be on the horizon for the Toronto Blue Jays?



The word “reunion” is a bit misleading, as he never pitched for the Jays. Before the start of the 2021 season, the Blue Jays and Yates agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal. However, the right-handed pitcher required Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season.

Since then, the veteran reliever has gone on to rebuild his stock and could get a big final payday as he’ll be 38 years old when the season begins. Let’s look at his numbers, his projected contract, and whether or not he’s a fit.
<h2>Kirby Yates’ stats</h2>
Yates led the National League in saves with 41 in 2019, thanks to a 1.19 ERA and a 1.30 FIP. However, he missed all but 4.1 innings in 2020 due to an elbow injury. Still, the Jays felt it was worth it to give him a one-year deal.

As we learned before the season even started, that risk did not pan out. Yates was set to become an important reliever, probably even the team’s closer, and putting all the eggs in that basket had the butterfly effect of costing the Blue Jays a postseason spot in 2021 thanks to an awful bullpen to start the season.

Anyway, Yates returned to action in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves and didn’t pitch well. It wasn’t until 2023 when he looked like he was returning to form, as he had a 3.28 ERA and a 4.63 FIP in 60.1 innings pitched, along with a 31.5 K% and a 14.6 BB%. The 2023 season earned him a shot as the Texas Rangers closer.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1831882674405044637

And oh boy, was Yates terrific in 2019. It’s safe to say at the age of 37 years old, Kirby Yates is back. Last season, he finished the year with a 1.17 ERA and a 2.50 FIP in 61.2 innings pitched, picking up 33 saves in 34 opportunities. Moreover, Yates struck out 35.9% of batters, his highest percentage since the 2019 season when he struck out 41.6% of batters. Albeit, his walk rate sat at 11.8%, far off the control and command he showed early in his big league career.
<h2>Kirby Yates’ contract outlook</h2>
<a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/market-value/_/id/15678/kirby-yates">According to Sportrac</a>, Yates’ market value currently sits at $6 million, with him projected to earn a one-year deal worth $6.012 million. His age and injury history make him a risk, but the reward is absolutely worth it, as he would instantly become one of the best, if not the best, reliever in the Jays bullpen.
<h2>Is Kirby Yates a fit for the Blue Jays</h2>
You don’t even need to think about this one. Despite being 38 years old, Yates had a great season and there’s history between the two teams.

As long as Yates doesn’t want a 2-year, $20 million deal, you have to imagine the Blue Jays will be all over him. If the Jays can sign him anywhere close to Sportrac’s value, or even what they signed him for before the 2021 season, get it done.

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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