It’s been two years since Kirby Yates was an All-Star closer for the defending World Series champions. For those who need a refresher: Yates compiled a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves for the Texas Rangers in 2024, striking out more than a batter per inning.
Since then, Yates’ stock has fallen sharply. He turned in a forgettable, injury-shortened season for the Dodgers in 2025. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels in January but missed the first month of the regular season with inflammation in his left knee.
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After flirting with a .500 record for the season’s first three weeks, the Angels fell off a cliff. They have the second-worst record in MLB (12-27) since April 17. Their 1.1 percent odds to make the playoffs, per FanGraphs, are the lowest in the American League.
ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 31: Kirby Yates #39 of the Angels backs up home plate while Erick Mejia #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on March 31, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
The Angels’ fall has coincided with Yates’ ascent.
Since being activated off the IL, he’s recorded a scoreless outing in six of his eight appearances. Overall, Yates has a 3.68 ERA and only four hits allowed through 7.1 innings while striking out 10.
As a reliever with a track record of success on a bad team, Yates is emerging as one of the most likely players to be traded between now and the Aug. 3 deadline.
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With an expiring one-year, $5 million contract, cost will be no object for any team in the market for relief help for the stretch run.
What can Yates offer?
Never a fireballer, the right-hander has befuddled opposing hitters by playing a hard-breaking splitter off his 90-mph four-seamer. When he’s healthy, it works.
Yates has limited opponents to an expected batting average of .198 this season per Statcast, and his 31.3 strikeout rate places him among the game’s elite relievers.
If Yates’ age (39) and recent injury history are deterrents, he makes up for it with a long history of success in a variety of relief roles. In 480 games with the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Rangers, Dodgers and Angels, Yates has 99 career saves and a stellar 3.37 ERA (122 ERA+).
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As the Angels’ fortunes continue to dwindle, general manager Perry Minasian can expect to field some tire-kicking calls about Yates if he continues to perform and stay healthy.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
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