During spring training in 2018, while both Kirby Yates and Chris Young were with the San Diego Padres, they had a talk. Chris Young is currently the general manager of the Rangers. Yates had no idea that Young would end up being his employer. Yates and the Rangers recently revealed that Yates signed a $4.5 million, one-year contract.

Speaking with the media through Zoom, Yates said he was eager to talk to Young again as they started this season. During their time together in 2018, he held Young in high regard and believed the Rangers had made a great choice in hiring him.

Yates joined the Rangers for reasons beyond just his friendship with Young. The player and the club benefit from each other’s relationship. The Rangers’ bullpen is in need of depth and experience because it struggled in 2023, finishing 24th in the MLB with a 4.77 ERA. Additionally, they had a poor save success record, going 30-for-63 (47.7%) in save chances.

With the exception of José Leclerc, Yates’ 2023 ERA was the lowest of any Rangers reliever, demonstrating his ability to strengthen the bullpen. Young said earlier this week that the Rangers’ first objective is to strengthen the bullpen.

Yates needs to demonstrate that he is healthy enough to pitch a complete Major League season. After suffering from ailments from 2020 to 2022, he showed promise in 2023 with the Braves, striking out 80 batters in 60 1/3 innings.

While it wasn’t a flawless season, Yates’ 2023 performance was very nearly identical to his prior one. With the Padres, he led the National League in saves (41), posted a 1.19 ERA, and was invited to the All-Star game in 2019. Although Yates admits that there were highs and lows throughout the previous season, he is generally happy with his performance and anticipates improving in the next one.

Yates didn’t undergo a three-year rehabilitation program in order to rejoin the major leagues; rather, getting well was the first step. His goal is to be a major asset to a winning team and have an influence in the postseason. Yates had the ideal chance to accomplish his objectives with the Rangers, who had just won their first World Series.

Yates thinks the Rangers will be on the hunt for a long time. He is thrilled about the opportunity to fight for a championship each year and has only heard positive things about the organization. Yates could not have asked for more as a player.