Yankees Show Interest in Reuniting with Tommy Kahnle Amidst Free Agency Buzz

The New York Yankees are expressing interest in reuniting with right-hander Tommy Kahnle, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Kahnle has also garnered interest from at least seven other clubs, but he remains hopeful for a return to the Bronx, where he has previously stated his desire to continue his career. Alongside Kahnle, Clay Holmes and Tim Hill are also free agents from the Yankees' bullpen this offseason, with Holmes expected to sign elsewhere.

Kahnle, 35, and the Yankees have a long-standing history together. New York originally drafted him in the fifth round of the 2010 Draft, only to lose him to the Rockies in the 2013 Rule 5 Draft. He was reacquired from the White Sox at the 2017 trade deadline and later signed as a free agent for the 2022-23 offseason. Over parts of six seasons with the Yankees, Kahnle has posted a solid 3.31 ERA out of the bullpen.

In his most recent stint with the Yankees, Kahnle recorded a 2.38 ERA across 83 1/3 innings between 2023-24, striking out 27.3% of batters while walking 11%. Despite shoulder issues limiting his availability, he managed to effectively control home runs (1.08 HR/9) at Yankee Stadium, thanks to his heavy reliance on a changeup that neutralized left-handed hitters. Lefties hit just .172/.267/.338 against him in that span, with Kahnle's changeup accounting for nearly three-quarters of his pitches. This approach also helped him maintain a strong ground ball rate of 54.1%, with an impressive 58.9% in 2024.

​Given the Yankees' preference for grounder-heavy pitchers in their bullpen, a return for Kahnle could align well with their strategy. His combination of experience and effectiveness, despite recent injuries, makes him an appealing option as they look to strengthen their pitching staff for the upcoming season. As the offseason progresses, the mutual interest between Kahnle and the Yankees may lead to another reunion on the field.