The Baltimore Orioles are in a different place heading towards the upcoming 2024 season than they were last offseason. After winning 101 games and securing an AL East Title, the Birds are looking to take the next step towards becoming a World Series contender.
While rumors fly around about what starting pitcher the O’s might acquire, another need seemed a little bigger, that being a back-end bullpen arm to fill in for injured All-Star and reigning AL Reliever of the Year, Félix Bautista.
Enter 35-year-old veteran right-hander Craig Kimbrel, who is no stranger to the AL East. It’s being reported by multiple industry sources that the Orioles have officially signed the nine-time All-Star to a one-year deal, worth a reported $13 million ($12 million this season, $1 million buyout), with a $13 million club option for 2025.
Kimbrel was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He has also played for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and most recently the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last year with the Phillies, Kimbrel compiled an 8-6 record across 71 games. He picked up seven holds, closed 23 of 28 save opportunities, totaling 69 innings pitched and striking out 94 batters. Though he allowed a career-high 10 home runs, Kimbrel still held opponents to a .181 average and 1.04 WHIP last season.
Kimbrel is no stranger to high leverage situations, winning a World Series in 2018 with the Red Sox, appearing in 30 postseason games with nine different teams throughout his 14-year career. Kimbrel is a nine-time All-Star, an NL Rookie of Year winner (2011) and has won both an AL (2017) and NL (2014) Reliever of the Year Award.
Over his career, the future Hall of Famer has appeared in 780 games with a 49-42 record and 2.40 ERA. He has pitched 757.1 innings, picking up 22 holds and 417 saves in 470 chances (.887 save percentage). Kimbrel has struck out 1,192 batters while holding opponents to a .166 BAA and 0.99 WHIP for his career.
The Huntsville, Alabama, native is eighth all-time on MLB’s saves list, and if he stays healthy and productive, he’s likely to pass Francisco Rodriguez, John Franco and Billy Wagner on the all-time list next season, all while wearing orange and black.
Kimbrel will join a back-end bullpen that boasts All-Star and MLB All-Rookie Team reliever Yennier Canó and a returning Dillon Tate after missing all of last season due to injury, helping to ease the loss of The Mountain for the 2024 season.
With the signing of Kimbrel official, the O’s 40-man roster is now at 37.
Welcome to Birdland, Craig Kimbrel
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