Report: Padres not among finalists for Kirby Yates

It appears Kirby Yates will not be returning to San Diego. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Padres not among finalists for free-agent RHP Kirby Yates

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/17/21

It appears Kirby Yates will not be returning to the San Diego Padres in 2021.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Yates has narrowed down the offers he's considering to five teams. Acee does not name the five teams, but he says the Padres' offer would need to increase if they hope to have the right-hander back next season. San Diego is not expected to change its offer.

The Padres were one of a dozen clubs interested in Kirby Yates. He is in final stages of considering offers from five teams, and source says the Padres are not one of them.
Padres would have to come up substantially in their offer, and that is not expected to happen.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) January 15, 2021

Yates has spent the last three-and-a-half seasons with the Padres. The 33-year-old went 0-1 during the pandemic shortened campaign with a 12.46 ERA, 2.538 WHIP and eight strikeouts in 4.1 innings. He underwent season-ending surgery to have bone spurs removed from his right elbow in August.

In 2019, Yates led Major League Baseball with 41 saves. He also had a 1.19 ERA, 0.890 WHIP and 101 strikeouts in 60.2 innings.

The Padres added Blake Snell and Yu Darvish this winter, so it's no surprise they aren't pursuing a reunion with Yates.

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