The Arizona Diamondbacks are continuing to search for bullpen help.
They were one of two teams in it until the end for Devin Williams, who was ultimately traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the New York Yankees. Now, the Diamondbacks pivot in a different direction.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reported on Saturday that the team has interest in signing free agent Kirby Yates.
“The Diamondbacks have been engaged in both the trade and free-agent market for a closer,” wrote Piecoro. “They are known to have interest in free-agent Kirby Yates and were involved in discussions with the Milwaukee Brewers before they traded closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees earlier in the week.”
Yates was an All-Star closer for the Texas Rangers in 2024, when he pitched in 61 games and posted a 1.17 ERA with 33 saves. He was nine saves shy of setting a career-high at 37 years old, but he’s aging like a fine wine down in the bullpen.
He has only had one year where he averaged less than one strikeout per inning, but that was a season to forget for him in all aspects. Outside of 2022, Yates has been a lethal reliever with the strikeouts.
Yates is projected to sign a one-year deal worth $6 million. His age drives the price tag down after posting 30+ saves a year ago.
The Diamondbacks are looking to add relievers to continue contending. For a team on a budget like the Diamondbacks, signing Yates would be an ideal acquisition.
Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen is known to be frugal when it comes to investing in the bullpen. With that said, an exception should be made here given Yates’ pedigree as a closer.
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