Right-hander Tommy Kahnle declined an outright assignment from the Yankees and instead chose to become a free agent, the team announced.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, Kahnle will miss most and quite possibly all of the 2021 season, making him a logical non-tender candidate. Headed into his third trip through the arbitration process, Kahnle was projected to earn $2.7MM, or a minimal raise on his $2.65MM salary from 2020 given that he pitched a single inning this season.
In electing to become a free agent, Kahnle will now look for a change of scenery in a new organization and see if he can land a two-year commitment — as per the usual model for TJ recovery cases, Kahnle would earn a minimum salary in the first year of the contract and then a larger salary in the second year when he is expected to actually pitch. Finding such a contract in this troubled free agent market could be a challenge, though Kahnle has delivered enough results on the mound that a club might be convinced to take what should still be a relatively inexpensive plunge.
The 31-year-old righty has a 3.82 ERA, 2.61 K/BB rate, 46.6% grounder rate, and 11.2 K/9 over 227 2/3 career relief innings with the Yankees, White Sox, and Rockies. Though injuries plagued him in 2018, Kahnle has shown that he can be a bullpen workhorse when healthy, tossing 62 2/3 innings over 69 appearances in 2017 and 61 1/3 innings over 72 appearances in 2019.
Is he worth the pickup Yankees fans?
I think they missed him in the post season. Maybe they can resign him to an incentive type deal since coming off the TJ surgery.
He was up and down. Mostly up but still. Up in ’17, down in ’18, ok in ’19. He pitched 1 inning in 2020. He was good for the 6th or 7th inning out of their pen. Depended on how Ottavino was pitching.
Mo- so essentially you’re saying he is no different from the majority of RP’s in today’s MLB? haha You could say a NYY version of Blake Treinen?
If he’s healthy. He’s been dominant in the past. If the Yankees don’t attempt to bring him back in, I’d be cautious. See what their interest level is going forward would be my guide.
Healthy?
He will miss most of 2021.
I say he goes back to White Sox.
They can sit on him for 2021 – until Sox need him for the WS!
Underwent TJS in early August, he was going to make $2.7M in 2021.
For the Rangers?
Man. That’s a tough call. Ties up a roster spot. Texas may not be all that interested in doing that. Plus, he’s a reliever not a starter. Usually, we see that type of two year deal with SPs.
He’s good & a gamer though. Superb change up.
Honestly, I really like Tommy Tightpants. I just don’t think he’d be all that good of a fit for your squad. If they think they’ll be competitive in ’22 then… maybe?
But, jeeez, the relief market is pretty flooded with some good pitchers, man. If I was their GM (& you should feel fortunate I’m not – I suck as a GM!) I’d pass.
Well, you’re right about him not fitting with the Rangers because I wasn’t specifically saying Texas. I don’t think he’d fit with us, I was just saying as a general pickup.
Fair enough.
Just apply my post to other teams then, lol.
He’s great when healthy.
Yes. He could probably close for a handful of teams. Hard thrower and gets a ton of lefties out with his change up. Any team would be happy to have him. I hope he finds his way back to the Yankees
Yes, he’s middle relief for teams with lower-end budgets. When he is on, he’s very good, but like most pitchers struggling, he’s had long droughts. I think he’s worth the shot – he’s league minimum while he recovers and you can gauge how well he’s doing; then, he’s going to be an inexpensive option that will still be better than many relievers on the field today.
he’s injured
When Kahnle is healthy he is a force to be reckoned with. He’s a fan favorite too, we call him Tommy Tightpants because of how thick those legs are.
Obviously the key is money but solid two pitch pitcher. Teams are going to be made by how they navigate this weird FA market especially RPs
When healthy and throwing strikes he was very good , but he won’t be available in 2021
He was murder out of the pen for the Yanks a couple years ago. Hope he bounces back and lands a job somewhere. With his capabilities I dont think that should be a problem.
Some team will sign him to a 2 year deal and once allowed, they will transfer him to the 60 day IL so they can add another player to take his spot on the 2021 roster. Provided the price is right, it seems to be a good gamble. Maybe 2 years, $2.5 to $3.0M total? Pay him $500K in year 1 and the balance in 2022.
Still the slight chance the yankees sign him to 2 year deal but we’ll see
At the risk of being censored, I call him Tommy fackin’ Kahnle! There’s something so New York about the guy, you can feel it when he comes into games and when he’s pumped up on the mound. He’s definitely a streaky pitcher even when healthy, but I’d love to see him come back to the Yankees and try it one more season. I love the guy’s energy and effort and I have no problem with his performance…. when he’s healthy.
Dude is stud. Hope the Yankees still hang on to him. If not, ChiSox again or Brewers! One of my favorite players.
My guess he’s going to sign Angles or Phillies. Great upside but will most likely miss most the season, these two teams always come to mind signing injured bullpen arms
Assuming he enjoyed his time on the South Side, this is a move that makes tons of sense for Rick Hahn and the White Sox.
I loved watching him pitch when he was with us. That year he was near unhittable. Considering the fact that it won’t cost much, I would love for the White Sox to work out a two-year deal with Kahnle.
In a season when they lost Severino and Paxton from the rotation, the loss of Kahnle was underestimated. He was their go-to reliever against lefty batters.
Definitely worth a pickup at the right price for some team on a two year deal, recognizing they won’t get value until year 2.