The Atlanta Braves are in a precarious position after missing out on Tanner Scott, a top reliever in this offseason’s free agent market. With Spring Training less than a month away, the team has yet to make any significant moves, striking out on several potential bullpen additions.
Now, the Braves’ options are limited, and Kirby Yates might be their last opportunity to make a meaningful splash before the season begins. Yates, a former Braves reliever, had a standout season with the Texas Rangers last year, which could make him a crucial acquisition for Atlanta.
Yates’ two seasons with the Braves were not particularly impressive, largely due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery when the team signed him. Atlanta hoped he would regain the form he showed as the Padres’ closer in 2018 and 2019. He managed just nine appearances in 2022, but his performance improved significantly in 2023. Yates pitched 60.1 innings with a 3.28 ERA, though his 4.63 FIP suggested he benefited from some good fortune.
At the end of the 2023 season, the Braves declined Yates’ $5.75 million option, leading him to sign a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Rangers. In Texas, Yates had a career-best season with a 1.17 ERA and a 2.50 FIP, showing he could still be an elite reliever.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Yates, now nearing 38 years old, was expected to secure a one-year, $14 million deal this offseason. However, many free agents have signed deals surpassing their projected values, suggesting Yates might also command a higher offer.
With Joe Jimenez’s injury creating a significant need in the bullpen, the Braves can’t afford to miss out on Yates. He could serve as a quality late-inning reliever at a more manageable cost due to his age. If the Braves offer Yates a multi-year contract, they could potentially lower the annual salary while providing him with long-term security. For example, rather than a one-year, $15 million deal, Yates could sign for two or three years, earning an extra $10-15 million overall.
Such a deal could be mutually beneficial, providing the Braves with the bullpen help they need while giving Yates stability. To secure his services and make a pivotal offseason move, the Braves will need to step up with a compelling offer, addressing their bullpen needs and making their first significant acquisition of the offseason.
