The Toronto Blue Jays traded Kevin Kiermaier to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Ryan Yarborough.
Yarborough, 32, was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Monday. He was dealt to LA from the Kansas City Royals in last year’s trade deadline. In 2024, Yarborough has pitched to a 4-2 record, a 3.74 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings.
Yarborough will become a free agent after this year, as his one year, $3.9 million contract comes to an end. Although he has spent all his time out of the Dodger bullpen, Yarborough has made 68 starts in his big league career, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make some starts for a depleted Blue Jays pitching staff.
Kiermaier, 34, signed a one year, $10 million contract extension this past offseason. The speedy centre fielder is known more for his renowned defence rather than his bat. In 2023, Kiermaier won his fourth career Gold Glove, and in 2024 his defence hasn’t slowed down. He ranks among the league’s best in defensive runs saved and outs above average, further cementing his legacy as one of the best defensive centre fielders the game has ever seen.
Earlier this month, Kiermaier announced that he will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Now, he will have a chance to win a ring with the NL West leading Dodgers.
Kiermaier spent the first 10 years of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, spending five of those years as teammates with Yarborough. Kiermaier then signed a one year deal with the Blue Jays in 2023, before extending it for one more year for 2024. In the near two years he spent in Toronto, Kiermaier compiled a .240 batting average, a .673 OPS, along with 12 homers, 54 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases.
