Craig Kimbrel signs a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. The story was first reported by The Athletic. It is worth $10 million and is a surprise as the 14-year veteran had an up-and-down year with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022.
Struggled in 2022
Kimbrel showed signs of success, as he had 22 saves. However, he also had a 3.75 ERA and was removed as the Dodgers closer due to inconsistency. He was also on the wrong end of too many Blown Saves for the Dodgers. He fell out of favor with Manager Dave Roberts, heard the boos from the fans, and he was left off the playoff roster.
Reliable Veteran
Kimbrel is a reliable veteran and with the Phillies signing him, he will fill a need caused by the departure of Zach Eflin and David Robertson. This will be his seventh team and he will join a bullpen that includes Kimbrel, José Alvarado, Connor Brogdon, and Seranthony Domínguez.
Inconsistency
Kimbrel was once the most electric closer in baseball with a blazing fastball and a hard curveball, but has recently alternated dominant seasons with sub-par seasons. The common element in his down years has been a lack of control, decreased velocity, and walks.
Elite Club
Kimbrel has a chance to join an elite club. He will enter the 2023 season with a chance to join the 400-save club. That features only six members who include Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), Francisco Rodríguez (437), John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422)
The Closer
It will be interesting to see how Manger Rob Thomson will use him. Will he be the main closer? He has not had a dominant full season as a closer since 2018.
Last season Thomson preferred not to have one closer, and shuffled save opportunities. 11 different pitchers had a save or more and Corey Knebel was the leader with 12.
At age 34 Kimbrel is not the force on the mound he once was. Still, he can be effective and could be a reliable arm in the back end of the bullpen and provide veteran leadership to the other bullpen pitchers.
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