Kirby Yates Expected To Land New Contract Following Recent Surgery

Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres pitches during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park

Teams in the MLB continue to skim the free-agent market for available pitchers, but it will depend on the price they will have to pay.

One of them is Kirby Yates who could be signed to a reasonable deal given his current health condition.

The 34-year-old is coming off a second Tommy John Surgery (TJS) last March and may not be available until the midseason of the 2022 MLB season.

The return date aligns with the typical fourteen-month recovery for any player who undergoes the said procedure, MLTBR’s Steven Adams pointed out.

Despite his predicament, Yates is anticipated to get a two-year deal in the offseason.

It is a familiar practice for MLB clubs, technically writing off the first season and hoping the investment pays off in the second year of the deal.

In the case of Yates, the Arizona Diamondbacks are seen as a potential suitor according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The Diamondbacks are one of six teams speculated to be taking their chances on the All-Star pitcher as they look to restock their bullpen.

During the 2019 MLB season, while he was with the San Diego Padres and before going under the knife, the veteran pitcher led the league with 41 saves.

Moreover, in the four years that he was with the team, Yates posted a 2.55 ERA and 1.002 WHIP.

Last MLB season, the Toronto Blue Jays took a chance on Yates, but the stint hardly reaped dividends as he required a second TJS procedure.

Despite risks involved with Yates undergoing another surgery, Arizona and other teams are still expected to try and gamble on the All-Star pitcher with hopes of seeing him recalling his old form.

Yates has been known for his late-game dominance, and multiple teams will consider that heading into the offseason.

Aside from the Diamondbacks, other teams that could be in the mix include the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins.

Both the Dodgers and Twins showed interest in Yates in free agency last winter.

Hence, there is a big possibility that both teams may revisit and look into adding Yates to their bullpen anew.