MLB Rumors: Yankees Among 8 Teams Interested in Tommy Kahnle in Free Agency

The New York Yankees could compete with at least seven other teams to sign pitcher Tommy Kahnle in free agency, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Kahnle, who was originally drafted by the Yankees but made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies, returned to New York on a two-year deal ahead of the 2023 season.

He recorded a career-best 2.11 ERA through 50 appearances and 42.2 innings pitched in 2024 before playing a key bullpen role in the Yankees' run to the World Series.

Kahnle was the pitcher of record in an ALDS Game 3 win after pitching 1.1 scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals.

He later recorded a save in Game 4 of the ALCS when he held the Cleveland Guardians without a run in the ninth inning.

But Kahnle's postseason ended on a sour note. He recorded the Game 5 elimination loss in the World Series after allowing all three Los Angeles Dodgers batters faced on base in the eighth inning.

Kahnle, who turned 35 in August, has previously struggled with injuries and missed time with shoulder inflammation for a second straight season last spring.

His strong regular season and early postseason are still projected to earn him a two-year, $10.7 million deal in free agency by Spotrac.

The New York Post's Dan Martin previously reported that there is "interest from both sides on a potential reunion for Kahnle."

As noted by Martin, should Kahnle receive the multi-year deal projected by Spotrac, it would mark the first time this offseason a reliever has signed for more than one year.

There is also the possibility Kahnle would accept a discount in order to return to New York, as he reportedly did on his last deal. The Athletic's Chris Kirschner reported in January 2023 that Kahnle rejected a more lucrative offer from the Boston Red Sox in order to return to New York.

"I always loved being a Yankee. It just made sense to me to return," Kahnle told Kirschner at the time.

Other Yankees relievers hitting free agency include Tim Hill and Clay Holmes, who the Post's Joel Sherman reported could potentially transition to starter with another team in 2025. Betting on Kahnle's health and his ability to bounce back from the Game 5 loss could allow the Yankees to bolster a bullpen in need of staffing help this offseason should the club win out over other suitors in free agency.