LA Dodgers Nearing Another Major Signing With 2-Time All-Star

If it wasn’t clear enough, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ mid-January free agency spending binge has solidified their position as MLB’s new “Evil Empire.”

The Dodgers are on the verge of adding yet another incredible addition to their pitching staff on Tuesday, after allegedly reaching an agreement with Japanese ace Roki Sasaki and agreeing to a four-year, $72 million contract with All-Star closer Tanner Scott.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today first revealed on Tuesday morning that Los Angeles and two-time All-Star closer Kirby Yates had reached a provisional deal, subject to a physical. Yates’ agreement comes as the reigning World Series champions are “expected to possibly” miss the first month of the 2025 season due to the absence of flamethrowing right-handed reliever Michael Kopech, Nightengale continued.

Yates, 37, just finished what may have been his best season in 2024. In addition to finishing his one and only season with the Texas Rangers with a career-best 7-2 record for the second consecutive year, the former 26th-round draft pick set career records in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 3.3, ERA (1.17), and WHIP (0.82). He also finished third in the junior circuit in saves (33) and games finished (50).

In addition, Yates finished ninth in the NL Cy Young Award voting and was selected to his second All-Star team (first since 2019).

The Dodgers will have a top-tier bunch of relievers in 2025 if Yates is formally introduced to the bullpen.