The Orioles are set to beef up their bullpen with one of the game’s most decorated closers. After a bounce-back campaign in 2023, Craig Kimbrel will go from one contender to another as the veteran righty will reportedly join the Orioles on a one-year deal.
Related: Yankees Acquire Alex Verdugo From Red Sox: What to Make of Trade
A Look at Kimbrel
The Phillies signed right-hander Craig Kimbrel last December after what was an inconsistent campaign with the Dodgers in 2022. That year saw Kimbrel posted a high BB/9 rate of 4.2 and his removal from the closer’s role late in the year.
However, things mostly turned in the right direction for Kimbrel in 2023. Despite a rise in home runs given up (1.3 HR/9) in 2023, Kimbrel struck out 94 over 69 frames, finished in the top 20 among relievers in K/9 (12.3) notched 23 saves, and earned his ninth All-Star Game nomination.
Kimbrel spent most of 2023 as the Phillies closer after Jose Alvarado went down to injury. It went mostly well for Philadelphia, aside from a rough NLCS against the Diamondbacks in which he earned a Game 3 loss and a blown save and Game 4.
The 35-year-old still has his power stuff, even though his average fastball velocity has dipped by three since 2017. The fastball is still a very tough pitch to hit when pounded up, and Kimbrel will through his signature hard curve out of the same tunnel to get hitters to bite down.
Command is still the biggest issue with Kimbrel. He’s always been prone to losing pitches from time and time. And this past year, Kimbrel gave up a career-high 10 home runs.
Kimbrel was part of a deep Phillies bullpen last season. Now, he’ll join a rather deep one in Baltimore in 2024, one that includes Danny Coloumbe, Cionel Perez, Mike Baumann, Jacob Webb, and Yennier Cano.
Per ESPN, Kimbrel will receive a one-year deal for $13MM.
Analysis
The Orioles entered the offseason with Yennier Cano tentatively set as Baltimore’s closer, as 2023 AL Reliever of the Year Award winner Felix Bautista will miss 2024 thanks to Tommy John surgery.
The loss of Bautista made it likely that the O’s would target at least a setup man or a closer to temporarily replace the power righty. Kimbrel checks that box for the Orioles.
Cano did quite well as Baltimore’s closer late last season, but Kimbrel’s extensive experience shutting down games and power stuff makes him the favorite to the get first crack at saves in 2024.
Should he be the Orioles closer in 2024, he’ll be able to keep up with Kenley Jansen on the all-time active leader list for saves. Kimbrel will enter next season with 417 career saves, three less than Jansen (420).