Kirby Yates is a highly sought-after right-handed reliever coming off a stellar 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, where he boasted a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves, showcasing his return to form after Tommy John surgery.

Kirby Yates finished the season with a Win Probability Added (WPA) of +4.43, making him the best pitcher in baseball according to this metric. At 37 years old, he posted an impressive 1.17 ERA over 61.2 innings, recording 33 saves and earning his second career All-Star selection. Despite his standout performance, the Rangers have not re-signed him, opting for five new relief pitchers, likely due to concerns about his age.

Kirby Yates, an All-Star closer for the Rangers last season, is currently a free agent and is likely to command a significant raise based on his performance. Despite his success, the Rangers still struggled with a below-average bullpen ERA of 4.41, indicating the team's ongoing need for relief pitching improvements.

Kirby Yates had one of the best seasons of his career in 2024, posting a stellar 1.17 ERA and recording 85 strikeouts in his 10th year in the league. The 37-year-old was also selected to the 2024 MLB All-Star team, showcasing his continued excellence on the mound. Yates, who previously earned All-MLB First Team honors in 2019 while with the San Diego Padres, is set to hit free agency this offseason, leaving his future with the Rangers uncertain.

Kirby Yates is expected to depart the Rangers via free agency, adding to the team's need to find new relievers. His potential exit, along with those of David Robertson and José Leclerc, highlights the urgency for the Rangers to rebuild their bullpen.