Even with Josh Hader and Ryan Pressly at the back end of the bullpen, it shouldn’t stop the Astros from grabbing other high-leverage relievers. One of their best options just so happens to have spent 2024 with another team in the American League West.
Kirby Yates, the two-time All-Star closer, is exactly the type of reliever the Astros are looking for. While it’s rare for teams to carry two dominant closers, this strategy would work out well with Yates being right handed and Hader being left handed.
In a stunning move that has shaken up the American League West, the Houston Astros have successfully poached All-Star closer Kirby Yates from the Texas Rangers, bolstering their bullpen with one of the league’s most dominant arms. Yates, 36, was instrumental in the Rangers’ bullpen during their playoff run last season, but the Astros managed to lure him away with a lucrative contract that ensures a significant upgrade to their pitching staff for the 2024 season.
The deal, reported to be worth $45.6 million over four years, is one of the boldest moves in recent memory, as the Astros continue their quest for dominance in the AL West. Yates, who earned a spot in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game and has been one of the most consistent closers in the league since 2018, brings an elite mix of fastball velocity and sharp-breaking off-speed pitches that have helped him secure a career 2.92 ERA and 108 saves. His ability to lock down games in the late innings was a key asset for the Rangers last year, but the Astros were able to strike quickly, offering Yates a chance to play for a team on the hunt for another World Series championship.
For the Rangers, the loss of Yates is a bitter blow, especially as they had invested heavily in him during the 2023 season. His departure leaves a noticeable gap in the bullpen that the team will now have to address, with speculation that the Rangers will either pursue another high-profile closer or make a trade to bolster their late-game options. Yates had been a fixture in Texas’ high-leverage situations, earning a reputation for his poise under pressure, and his absence will undoubtedly force the Rangers to shuffle their bullpen plans moving forward.
For the Astros, adding Yates represents a crucial step in their offseason overhaul, as they look to maintain their position at the top of the division and in the postseason picture. With a core that already includes stars like Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, and Jose Altuve, the Astros now possess one of the most formidable pitching staffs in baseball. Yates’ signing allows Houston to further strengthen their late-inning dominance, giving manager Dusty Baker a reliable weapon in the most critical moments of a game.
This move also demonstrates the Astros’ strategy of capitalizing on division rival weaknesses. By securing one of the Rangers’ most valuable players, Houston not only improves their own roster but also weakens a direct competitor in the highly competitive AL West. With both teams expected to be fierce rivals in 2024, the race for supremacy in the division has just gotten even more intense.
Yates’ decision to join the Astros marks a major shift in the landscape of the division, and it will be fascinating to see how the Rangers respond as they attempt to rebuild their bullpen ahead of next season.
Leave a Reply