Expected deal of Rangers All-Star closer: Braves reunion on the horizon?

The Atlanta Braves will most likely be looking for trustworthy bullpen arms during the Major League Baseball trade deadline in 2024, just like the majority of teams vying for a postseason spot.

The Braves are as aware as anybody that relievers are essential to a postseason run. Since 2018, they have qualified for the postseason each year and won the championship in 2021 thanks to a shut-down bullpen that allowed opponents to bat just.231.

The Braves should be prepared to look everywhere for possible relief help, but there is a clear answer in front of them: a pitcher who was in their bullpen this time last year.

The Texas Rangers, the defending World Series champions, are close to embracing their fate as sellers because they are having an awful season. Additionally, Kirby Yates, a 2023 Braves reliever, is having an All-Star season as their closer.

As to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, rival general managers anticipate that Yates will be among the five Rangers players made available, “barring a dramatic turnaround.” It would also be irresponsible of the Braves to ignore the possibility of a reunion considering Yates’ current season.

Yates, who is 37 years old, has developed into one of the MLB’s top closers. Having assumed the role a month into the season, he is 13 for 13 on save chances. Additionally, he has a pitiful 0.86 ERA in 31.1 innings pitched, along with 43 strikeouts.

Yates had played his first two seasons in Atlanta, where he made a short comeback from injury in 2022 and had a great 2023 campaign. During his tenure with the Braves, he pitched 67.1 innings, recorded a 3.48 ERA, and struck out 83 batters.

Yates has committed to a one-year deal with the Rangers, and he is now at the phase of his career where winning a championship is his main goal each season. The Braves may benefit from the defending champions’ apparent withdrawal from the race.

At his current home ballpark, Yates is almost a lock to make the All-Star Game. We’ll make the rosters public on Sunday night. After that, Yates won’t find out where he pitches for the rest of the season until the July 30 deadline.