The Texas Rangers and relief pitcher Kirby Yates have reportedly reached a tentative agreement, but the deal hinges on Yates passing a physical. The Rangers are aiming to stay below the Competitive Balance Tax threshold, making a large contract with Yates difficult. Despite their roster improvements, the Rangers still lack a reliable closer with significant ninth-inning experience.
Texas Rangers catcher Carson Kelly and relief pitcher Kirby Yates were seen laughing together after securing a victory against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field in Arlington on September 8, 2024. This lighthearted moment followed a report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale that the Rangers and Yates had reached a tentative agreement. However, any finalization of the deal is contingent upon Yates passing a physical, a crucial step considering his history of arm issues.
The Rangers had expressed interest in Yates returning for the 2025 season, and President of Baseball Operations Chris Young had stated their commitment to roster improvements over the weekend. It remains unclear whether the Rangers had formally submitted an offer to Yates. Nevertheless, given the team's financial constraints and their ambition to stay below the $241 million Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) threshold, a deal with Yates seemed financially improbable.Recent weeks have witnessed a surge in transactions involving late-inning relievers. The Rangers' projected CBT payroll stands at $234 million, a mere $7 million shy of the tax threshold. Exceeding this limit would result in a 50% penalty on the overage, a significant financial burden that would extend to subsequent years until the threshold is breached. In stark contrast, the reigning world champion Dodgers appear unfazed by these concerns. Their projected payroll for 2025 is estimated at $374 million, indicating their willingness to pay the tax for the fifth consecutive year. Given that their payroll exceeds the threshold by over $100 million, they anticipate paying 110% of the overage in tax, amounting to over $150 million in CBT tax alone in 2025. Yates, who converted an impressive 33 out of 34 save attempts and boasted a stellar 1.17 ERA in 2024, provided much-needed stability to the Rangers' bullpen, a position that struggled during the 2023 regular season. However, his outstanding performance seemingly drove his market value beyond the Rangers' financial reach.Despite their strategic moves, the Rangers have yet to acquire a player with significant ninth-inning experience. The five relievers added to the team combined for a mere five saves last year. Even if you delve into the Rangers' current bullpen options, you'll find a total of 32 career saves. Ichiro Suzuki, a celebrated Japanese baseball player, became the first player of his nationality to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, falling just one vote short of a unanimous election on Tuesday.
TEXAS RANGERS KIRBY YATES MLB COMPETITIVE BALANCE TAX BULLPEN HALL OF FAME ICHIRO
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