MLB Rumors: Tigers Interested In Veteran Pitcher After Extraordinary Season

The Detroit Tigers are reportedly targeting veteran closer Kirby Yates in free agency as they look to strengthen their bullpen for the 2025 season. 

Yates, who will turn 38 in March, is coming off an extraordinary year with the Texas Rangers, where he posted a 1.17 ERA across 61.2 innings, recorded 33 saves, and earned both an All-Star selection and a top-10 finish in Cy Young voting. 

“He would be a wonderful addition to any bullpen he joined,” said Ari Alexander of KPRC 2, emphasizing Yates’ potential to serve as a stabilizing force for a young Tigers pitching staff. Despite his age and previous injury history, Yates has demonstrated that he remains one of the game’s premier relievers when healthy.

Source: The #Tigers are interested in RHP closer Kirby Yates.

Yates is coming off an All-Star season, racking up 33 saves with an ERA of 1.17 and a WHIP of 0.83. pic.twitter.com/iYSCRNaxfc

— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) December 12, 2024

Detroit is aiming to build on the momentum of its first playoff appearance in a decade, with manager A.J. Hinch and pitching coach Chris Fetter reportedly intrigued by Yates’ ability to lead a relatively inexperienced bullpen. 

The Tigers’ young relievers, including Beau Brieske, Jason Foley, and Tyler Holton, have shown promise but could benefit from Yates’ veteran presence and leadership. 

The Tigers see him as a strong candidate to take over the closer role, offering both elite strikeout potential—he posted a 35.9% strikeout rate in 2024—and the ability to mentor the next generation of Detroit arms.

RUMORS‼: The Tigers have expressed interest in RHP Kirby Yates, per @AriA1exander pic.twitter.com/s9AgPHFifN

— Rangers Access (@themlbreport12) December 12, 2024

Financially, Yates is expected to command a one-year deal worth $10–15 million, a figure that aligns with Detroit’s current payroll flexibility. 

With a projected payroll of $95 million, the Tigers are well-positioned to make impactful short-term signings, and Yates represents a low-risk, high-reward option. 

If he can replicate his 2024 dominance, Yates could be a pivotal piece in Detroit’s efforts to solidify its late-game pitching and make a deeper postseason run. 

As Alexander noted, Yates might be “the missing piece” to tie the bullpen together and elevate the Tigers’ resurgence.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images