Tommy Kahnle, a former New York Yankees reliever, is nearing a deal with the Detroit Tigers as the Yankees appear to have moved on from the veteran right-hander. This move is not surprising given the Yankees’ current focus on acquiring a left-handed reliever, with Tim Hill reportedly drawing their interest. Kahnle was an attractive option in the reliever market, having posted a 2.11 ERA and a 25.7% strikeout rate across 50 appearances. The Tigers, who had one of the best bullpens in the league last season, will now benefit from Kahnle’s devastating changeup, adding more strikeout potential to a bullpen that excelled in preventing damage.
Kahnle, originally drafted by the Yankees in 2010, has spent five of his 10 MLB seasons in New York. After an injury-plagued stint with the Dodgers, he returned to the Yankees on a two-year deal and provided valuable late-inning performances. Over the past two seasons (2023-2024), Kahnle posted a 2.38 ERA and a 27.3% strikeout rate across 92 appearances. His signature pitch, the changeup, continued to be one of the best in the game, with opposing batters hitting just .157 against it and posting a .264 slugging percentage. The pitch also generated a 38.9% whiff rate, showcasing its effectiveness despite some loss in velocity on both his changeup and fastball.
However, with the Yankees already having established right-handed pitchers like Devin Williams and Fernando Cruz, the need for another reliever with a plus offspeed pitch was less critical. The Yankees also made the decision to part ways with Kahnle, especially with other relievers like Luke Weaver and Mark Leiter Jr. on the roster, both of whom feature effective offspeed pitches. The Yankees’ priority has now shifted to finding a left-handed reliever, as their bullpen lacks depth on that side, with Max Fried and Carlos Rodon being their only southpaws.
The Yankees’ interest in Tim Hill remains, but Hill is reportedly drawing attention from several other teams, including the Mets and Dodgers. While the Yankees would welcome a reunion with Hill, the team has yet to meet his demands. Additionally, the Yankees are exploring trade options, including potentially moving Marcus Stroman and looking to add an infielder, making Kahnle’s departure a logical move to free up resources for their broader roster goals.
