Kenley Jansen #74 of the Boston Red Sox
As the Boston Red Sox head into another critical offseason, one of the team’s biggest needs is addressing the back end of their bullpen. With future Hall of Fame closer Kenley Jansen set to depart after two seasons in Beantown, the Red Sox will have to get creative in their search for a new closer. While the team is expected to pursue top-tier free-agent pitchers, one intriguing option that has gained traction among Red Sox insiders is veteran closer Kirby Yates.
Yates: A Strong Comeback Year in 2024
Yates, 37, was one of the biggest success stories in baseball’s bullpen in 2024. After a solid career with the San Diego Padres, including a 41-save, All-Star season in 2019, Yates found new life with the Texas Rangers in 2024. On a one-year, $4.5 million deal, Yates posted an impressive 1.17 ERA and a 0.827 WHIP over 62.1 innings, saving 33 games and earning an American League All-Star nod.
While Yates may not carry the same long-term pedigree as Jansen, his performance in 2024 showcased an elite level of production. In fact, Red Sox Stats—an influential account among Boston’s fanbase—recently compared Yates’ “stuff” to the likes of Blake Snell, calling it “comically better than everyone else available.” That kind of praise indicates that the Red Sox’s pitching staff, which has struggled to establish consistent bullpen dominance in recent years, could benefit significantly from adding a weapon like Yates.
Jansen’s Departure Leaves a Void
Kenley Jansen’s tenure with the Red Sox, while productive, was marked by one major constant: the team’s inability to make the postseason. Over the last two seasons, Jansen saved 29 games in 2023 and 27 games in 2024, but the Red Sox were nowhere near contention, finishing with disappointing records both years. While Jansen’s contributions to the bullpen were undeniable, his departure—both due to age and the team’s current rebuild—opens the door for the Red Sox to find a new closer.
Jansen, now 36, cemented his Hall of Fame credentials with the Red Sox, recording his 400th career save during his time in Boston. He leaves the team ranked fourth on the all-time saves list with 447. However, his season ended on a sour note in 2024 when a shoulder injury sidelined him late in the year, and he controversially left the team before the season concluded.
While Jansen’s numbers with the Red Sox were strong, his departure signals a shift toward the future, with the team looking for a new face to close out games. That’s where Yates comes in.
Yates: A Possible Upgrade Over Jansen?
While Yates doesn’t carry the same career resume as Jansen, if he can repeat his 2024 performance, he could actually provide more value to the Red Sox in the short term. Unlike Jansen, who had some struggles in his final season in Boston, Yates brings a different dynamic to the bullpen. According to Brooks Baseball, Yates’ four-seam fastball—while topping out at a relatively modest 93 mph—has remarkable movement, including a pronounced tail and natural sinking action, which generates an elite number of swings and misses.
Given the Red Sox’s focus on refining their pitchers’ ability to dominate “in the zone,” Yates’ ability to generate weak contact and keep hitters off-balance could make him a perfect fit for Boston’s needs. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff, a consistent strikeout rate, and proven closing ability makes him an intriguing candidate to step into the closer role.
What Will Yates Cost?
Given his age and the fact that he’ll be coming off a one-year deal, Yates is expected to command a contract in the range of $14 million for 2025, according to MLB Trade Rumors. This would put him in the same ballpark as what the Red Sox paid Jansen—though with a smaller, one-year commitment. A deal for Yates would give the Red Sox a closer who’s coming off a dominant season, but without the long-term financial risk associated with a high-priced, multi-year commitment.
For a team that has plenty of other roster holes to fill this offseason, a one-year, $14 million deal for Yates could be a smart way to solidify the bullpen while giving the team flexibility to pursue other free-agent pitchers and position players.
Conclusion: A Logical Fit for the Red Sox
If the Red Sox are serious about competing in 2025, bringing in a closer like Kirby Yates makes sense. His 2024 season was stellar, and he could be a great short-term solution in the bullpen while the team works on rebuilding its pitching staff and making necessary upgrades to the lineup.
While Yates doesn’t carry the same star power as Jansen, his combination of dominant stuff and strong results in 2024 makes him an appealing option to take over the closer role in Boston. With the Red Sox looking to contend next year, Yates could be the perfect addition to stabilize the bullpen and ensure that they can close out games with confidence in 2025.
