The Boston Red Sox will see plenty of Craig Kimbrel in 2024 as the right-handed closer and 2018 World Series champion agreed to terms with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
Kimbrel, 35, signed a one-year deal worth $12 million, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The contract also includes a $13 million club option, including a $1 million buyout for the 2025 season.
Baltimore entered the offseason as the perfect landing destination for Kimbrel. The Orioles desperately needed to explore the reliever market after Félix Bautista — who won the American League Reliever of the Year award in 2023 — underwent Tommy John surgery in October, which should sidelined him for the season. Kimbrel has experience pitching in the AL East and is fresh off an All-Star season of his own with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The nine-time All-Star recorded 23 saves, pitching to a 3.26 ERA with the Phillies while also surrendering just two earned runs through 12 innings in September.
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That momentum didn’t transfer when the stakes were raised and Philadelphia embarked on its run toward a return trip to the World Series, however. Kimbrel, in fact, imploded when it mattered most, overshadowing a still-solid campaign through his post-prime stretch.
Kimbrel pitched to a risen 6.00 ERA with an 0-2 record in seven playoff appearances in 2023, most notably responsible for blowing Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Orioles are coming off an AL East-best 101-61 season, and like Kimbrel, will also seek October redemption in 2024.
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Featured image via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
