The Detroit Tigers have signed right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle to a one-year contract worth $7.75 million. The move strengthens a bullpen that played a key role in the team’s push to the postseason last year.
Kahnle, 35, posted a 2.11 ERA over 42⅔ innings for the New York Yankees in 2024. Over the past two seasons, his 2.38 ERA ranks 11th among MLB pitchers with at least 80 innings.
Kahnle relies heavily on his changeup, throwing it 73.1% of the time in 2024—nearly 20 percentage points more than any other pitcher. During the postseason, he threw 61 consecutive changeups.
When healthy, his changeup complements a 94 mph fastball and a slider. He recorded 46 strikeouts, 19 walks and allowed five home runs last season. Over his 10-year career, he has a 3.47 ERA with 452 strikeouts in 373⅔ innings.
Detroit’s bullpen, which logged a major-league-high 141⅔ innings in September and posted a 2.41 ERA, played a key role in the team’s late-season surge. The Tigers went 33-13 after Aug. 10, overcoming a 55-63 record to reach the playoffs before losing to Cleveland in the division series.
Kahnle’s signing comes amid an active market for relievers. The Los Angeles Dodgers signed right-hander Kirby Yates to a one-year, $13 million contract, while the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal with right-hander Ryne Stanek.
Several relievers remain available, including right-handers Carlos Estevez, Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, Kyle Finnegan and Adam Ottavino, along with left-handers Tim Hill, Brooks Raley, Andrew Chafin, Jalen Beeks and Colin Poche.
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