Former Angels Reliever Signs With AL West Rival

The rich get richer.

Former Los Angeles Angels closer Kirby Yates has agreed to sign with their AL West-rival Texas Rangers. It's only a one-year contract for Yates, but the defending World Series champions gain an experienced bullpen arm. 

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic broke news of the signing.

Free-agent reliever Kirby Yates in agreement with Rangers on one-year contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2023

Yates spent part of the 2017 season with the Angels, only appearing in one game. It wasn't pretty at all for him, as he allowed two runs in one inning of work. His ERA during his very short tenure with the Halos sits at 18.00.

The closer was then claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres that season and went on to put together multiple solid years for them. He was chosen to the National League All-Star team in 2019, when he posted an ERA of 1.19 over 60 games and led the NL with 41 saves.

Yates may never have seen his full potential if he had stayed with the Angels. After unlocking his potential in San Diego, the 36-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Atlanta Braves. 

The 2023 season was his first full campaign coming off a second Tommy John surgery that knocked him out of action for nearly two years.

Now with Texas, Yates joins a bullpen that dominated at times during the 2023 postseason, but lacked depth. Already one of the better teams in baseball, the Rangers' new reliever should only make them more a formidable opponent next year. 

The Halos could see their former pitcher multiple times in 2024. and hopefully, they can get the better of him.