Los Angeles Dodgers are taking their goal of defending their World Series title very seriously and establishing themselves as the favorites by adding another arm to their bullpen with the addition of reliever Kirby Yates.
According to sources from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the right-handed reliever reached an agreement with the Dodgers that is pending signature and will be worth $13 million, plus bonuses that would raise $500,000 if he has 50 appearances and $500,000 more if he takes the mound in 55 games.
With this addition, the Dodgers strengthen their bullpen, after signing left-hander Tanner Scott, who was the best reliever available in free agency. Their relief pitching staff already included Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia.
The Dodgers are still in bully mode
The competitive spirit of these Dodgers is becoming increasingly intractable, as they have added two luxury closers in a short time with Yates and Scott, who will compete for the order with Treinen, to leave no doubt about the potential of their bullpen
Yates played last season with the Texas Rangers and in 61 appearances posted a 1.17 ERA, performances that earned him a second call-up to the All-Star Game.
The Dodgers are more powerful with him on the mound, to have a safe relief to the rotation in which for now are confirmed: Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, at some point Shohei Ohtani, besides that there is talent with Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Bobby Miller and Michael Grove, waiting for the return of veteran ace Clayton Kershaw.
The Dodgers suffered in their starting rotation in the 2024 playoffs, with only two healthy starters in Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler, but the bullpen rescued the defensive work.
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