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Dodgers On Verge Of Signing Another All-Star This Offseason

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 1:42 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to assemble the best team money can buy.

Since winning the World Series, the Dodgers have reloaded for a title defense. They retained star slugger Teoscar Hernandez, added another power-hitting outfielder in Michael Conforto, signed two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, and landed Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki.

Los Angeles has now turned its sights toward building the game's best bullpen. On Sunday, they signed star left-handed relief pitcher Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million. They reportedly added another late-inning piece on Tuesday.

As first reported by USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers have a "tentative agreement" in place with Kirby Yates. MLB insider Jon Heyman said the deal isn't official but is "looking very likely."

Yates posted a 1.19 ERA, 101 strikeouts, and 41 saves during a dominant 2019 campaign, but he pitched just 11.1 innings over the next three years. The righty underwent his second Tommy John surgery before the 2021 season after missing nearly all of a shortened 2020.

He had a relatively successful comeback in 2023, registering a 3.28 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 60.1 innings with the Atlanta Braves. However, Yates rediscovered his elite form last year.

Yates made his second All-Star appearance as the Texas Rangers' closer in 2024. He notched a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves in 61 games with the lowest opposing batting average (.111) of any qualified reliever.

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on prior to Game Three of the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Yates, who will turn 38 shortly after the Dodgers start the 2025 season in Japan, gives manager Dave Robers yet another high-leverage option in a stacked bullpen. He and Scott join Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, and Michael Kopech to form a lethal unit that will likely share save opportunities.

The terms of Yates' contract remain unknown, but the Dodgers increased their luxury tax payroll to approximately $375 million after signing Scott. That's approximately $70 million more than the runner-up Philadelphia Phillies and $300 million more than the Miami Marlins, who traded Scott to the San Diego Padres last summer.

With their onslaught of talent, the Dodgers are considerable favorites to become MLB's first back-to-back champion since the New York Yankees won three straight titles from 1998 to 2000. FanDuel Sportsbook lists the defending champs at +270 to win another title.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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