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Minnesota Twins: Ranking the Twins’ potential targets at the trade deadline

By Chris Schad

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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres reacts to striking out Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a game at PETCO Park on July 13, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres reacts to striking out Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a game at PETCO Park on July 13, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

5. RP Kirby Yates (San Diego Padres)

We will excuse you if you haven’t heard the name of Kirby Yates, but he’s become one of the best closers in the game for a San Diego team that has made a living off finding valuable bullpen arms off the street. After bouncing around between Tampa Bay, New York and Los Angeles during the early portion of his career, Yates seems to have found a home with the Padres and has turned it into his first All-Star appearance.

The 32-year old has posted a career-low 1.10 ERA this season and has racked up an MLB-leading 30 saves to go with it. Yates also has powerful stuff that has helped him obtain a 14.0 K/9 rate this season despite a fastball that only checks in around the mid-to-low 90s.

Like Boyd, Yates’ biggest attraction is his control as he won’t hit the free-agent market until after next season. Because of that, the Padres aren’t inclined to move him and with a roster that is more advanced than what Detroit has, San Diego General Manager A.J. Preller has already mentioned that it would take “an overwhelming offer” to pry the right-hander away.

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