Dodgers finalize 1-year contract with Kirby Yates, per reports

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Veteran reliever gets $13 million guaranteed to join LA bullpen, and can earn up to another $1 million in bonuses based on games pitched. Dodgers will need to make a corresponding move to clear space on the 40-man roster.

The Dodgers finalized their contract for reliever Kirby Yates on Tuesday, signing the veteran reliever for a one-year, $13 million contract, per multiple reports. Mark Feinsand of MLBcom was first to report the deal was complete. The Dodgers have not yet announced the signing, which will require a corresponding transaction to make room on the 40-man roster.

Yates can earn up to an extra $1 million in bonuses, per Jeff Passan at ESPN. Yates gets $500,000 for each of 50 and 55 games, per Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic.

The two sides being in "serious discussions" was first reported on January 21.

Yates was limited to only 15 appearances and 11⅓ innings over three season due to either elbow inflammation or recovering from 2021 Tommy John surgery. But he's been more like his prior self the last two seasons, combining for a 2.21 ERA in 122 games for the Braves and Rangers, with 165 strikeouts and 65 walks in 122 innings.

He is one of several high-strikeout pitchers the Dodgers have added this offseason.

After a home run problem in Atlanta, Yates allowed only three long balls last season with Texas, helping fuel his minuscule 1.17 ERA and 1.86 xERA while saving 33 games for the Rangers.

Yates, who turns 38 in March, joins a bullpen that has several relievers with closing experience. Tanner Scott, Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, and Yates combined for 100 saves just last year between the regular season and postseason.

During the Blake Snell press conference in December and again during the winter meetings a week later, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman mentioned the idea of not needing to by players at the trade deadline. He reiterated that during the press conference introducing Scott, with Friedman estimating the prices to add players in July are double what they are at other times.

"The one thing that has stood out every year is it's the worst time to add players," Friedman said on January 23. "For us, going into this offseason it was let's do everything we can on the front end, let's be as aggressive as we can be, and be in a position where we don't have to go to market in July."

During the Roki Sasaki press conference on January 22, general manager Brandon Gomes was exaggeratedly asked about the challenges of having 14 starting pitchers and 12 relievers to sort through.

"I would love that problem," Gomes said. "We'll figure it out as it comes. The hope, the goal is that we're in a much better position this year than we were last. It's a really talented group. We have depth, and we'll kind of let things play out and see how it goes from there."

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