New York Yankees Add Kirby Yates to Bullpen

On Friday the New York Yankees made a minor trade, as they sent cash considerations to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for right-handed reliever Kirby Yates.

The 28-year old Yates was designated for assignment this week by Cleveland, which is a bit of a mystery considering the Indians had just purchased his contract from the Tampa Bay Rays back in November.

In 2015 Yates recorded an ugly 7.97 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched out of the Rays bullpen. He also gave up a rather high 10 home runs out of the bullpen, which isn’t very appealing when you consider a right-handed reliever in the dimensions of Yankee Stadium.

2014 however was a different story for the Lihue, Hawaii native, as he pitched to a 3.75 ERA with one save in 36.0 innings pitched.

According to baseball reference, Yates is projected to pitch to a 2-2 record with a 4.62 ERA and an 8.5 K/9 ratio in 39.0 innings pitched, which isn’t exactly quality bullpen material if you ask me.

To make matters worse, Yates’ numbers indicate that he is an extreme fly-ball pitcher, and 30.3% of balls hit in the air off him exited the ball park in 2015. Again, when you factor in the short porch in Yankee Stadium, it’s hard to pinpoint why this move makes sense.

It looks to me that the Yankees are looking at Yates impressive track record of fanning bats, and are hoping that Larry Rothschild can turn him into a serviceable reliever.

Because the Yankees only have 38 players on their 40-man roster including Yates, they were able to add him to their bullpen mixing without having to make a corresponding move.

Yates will join a Yankees bullpen that features the overpowering trio of Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances as well as the collection of young power arms in Jacob Lindgren, Chasen Shreve, Nick Rumbelow, Branden Pinder and James Pazos.