Inside The Pinstripes

Ex-Yankees Reliever Getting Plenty of Interest in Free Agency

There is a robust market for Tommy Kahnle in free agency, according to an NFL insider.

Max Goodman

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More than 10 different teams are interested in signing free agent reliever Tommy Kahnle this offseason, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. 

Kahnle, 33, had a resurgent finish to the 2022 season with the Dodgers, posting a 1.04 ERA over 8.2 innings in September with nine strikeouts. 

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2020, ending his four-year stint with the Yankees after one inning pitched at the beginning of the pandemic-shortened season. He was signed by Los Angeles that winter, slowly working back from elbow surgery. Kahnle returned in May of 2022, but went back on the injured list a few weeks later, missing four months with a forearm injury.

Not too long ago, Kahnle was one of the best relievers in New York's bullpen. In 2019, his last full season, the former fifth-rounder posted a 3.67 ERA over 61.1 innings with the Yankees, appearing in a career-high 72 games. 

Kahnle's changeup was the key to his success in that season. Opponents hit .130 (16-for-123) against the right-hander's changeup, striking out 67 times. It's a small sample—and Kahnle's recent injury history is certainly a cause for concern—but opposing hitters were 3-for-32 (.094) against the changeup in 2022. Kahnle threw that pitch 76.4 percent of the time as well.

Earlier this offseason, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters that he's "looking to improve [New York's] bullpen" this offseason. There will be some new faces in the 'pen for those in pinstripes considering Scott Effross is out for the season (Tommy John surgery) and a group of veterans (Chad Green, Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman and Miguel Castro) are all entering free agency. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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