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Yankees: What does Tommy Kahnle’s future with NYY look like after surgery?

ByThomas Carannante|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: Tommy Kahnle #48 of the New York Yankees reacts after giving up a solo home run hit by Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: Tommy Kahnle #48 of the New York Yankees reacts after giving up a solo home run hit by Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Yankees fans, this could be the last we see of Tommy Kahnle.

Truth be told, Tommy Kahnle’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. We’re just a handful of games into the shortened 60-game season for 2020, which looks like it’s about to get canceled, and he has just one more year left on his contract with the New York Yankees.

If Tommy John surgery has taught us anything, it’s that Kahnle will likely miss the next 12 months, meaning he probably won’t be back until August of next season — a contract year for the right-hander.

It’s unclear if he’ll be even back that soon because sometimes these rehabs take longer for others. If that’s the case, it’s a possibility Yankees fans saw the last of Kahnle and his devastating changeup against the Washington Nationals.

Tommy Kahnle Contract Details

The 30-year-old and New York native, who was acquired by the Yankees back in the 2017 trade that brought David Robertson back to the Bronx in a deal with the Chicago White Sox, is still under arbitration, with 2021 serving as his final year of eligibility. He’ll be a free agent ahead of the 2022 season.

Kahnle was set to earn $2.65 million for the 2020 campaign, but that took a hit when the salaries were prorated to reflect the 60-game season. Assuming he maintained production throughout this year though, he would’ve been due for a raise in 2021.

However, now he stands to likely make somewhere close to that $2.65 million for next year and his free-agent value will likely (and sadly) tank because of the lack of reps and action he’ll have seen between 2020 and 2021. On top of that, injuries hampered him in 2018 after he had a career year in 2017. Since then, he’s appeared in just 97 games.

It’s truly a sad state of affairs, but maybe the Yanks will cheer us all up and give Kahnle a contract extension after he returns next year and proves to be healthy/back to full strength. That would make us all feel better, wouldn’t it?

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