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In a move that came right at the 3 p.m. PST trade deadline, the Los Angeles Angels finalized a deal that sends 39-year-old right-hander Kirby Yates to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In return, the Angels will receive right-handed pitcher Kyle Robinson from the Pirates' organization.
Yates has experienced an inconsistent season, posting a 3.95 ERA with just three saves and three blown saves. However, a closer look at his performance reveals a more promising picture. He has struck out 30.5% of the batters he has faced, well above the league average of 22.2%, and opponents are hitting only .196 against him. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) stands at a solid 3.17, indicating that his underlying performance is better than his ERA suggests.
The primary concern for Yates has been the damage inflicted against him. With an average fastball velocity of 90.9 mph—significantly lower than the league average of 95.3 mph for right-handers—he has less margin for error. Despite this, his expiring contract and favorable underlying metrics made him a valuable trade asset as the Angels continue to sell off pieces.
Key Analysis
Robinson, the return in this trade, was selected in the 11th round of the 2024 draft by the Athletics and was later traded to the Pirates earlier this season. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound right-hander has pitched at A-ball, High-A, and Double-A this year. In five starts at Double-A, he has recorded a 6.43 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 10 walks over 21 innings, showing potential despite some control issues.
Originally reported by yahoo.