Craig Kimbrel, formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies, has agreed to terms with the Baltimore Orioles.
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Craig Kimbrel, a former reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies, agreed to a one-year contract worth $13 million with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Additionally, MLB Network reported that Kimbrel has an option year for 2025. Kimbrel made the All-Star team in 2023 and pitched in 71 games for the Phillies during the regular season, recording 23 saves, finishing with a 3.26 ERA, 94 strikeouts, a 1.04 WHIP, and five blown saves.
However, the right-hander did not enjoy the same level of success for the Phillies in the postseason, especially in the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kimbrel’s ERA skyrocketed to 6.00 in seven postseason games, giving up six hits (one home run, four earned runs, and one blown save) in addition to six strikeouts.
In Game 5 of the NLCS, Arizona prevailed 2-1 after Kimbrel allowed the go-ahead run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Then, with a 5-3 lead in Game 5, Kimbrel entered the bottom of the eighth inning and allowed multiple hits, including the game-tying home run that gave the Diamondbacks the advantage.
With 417 saves, 35-year-old Kimbrel is currently ranked eighth in the MLB’s all-time saves list. After having Tommy John surgery, Félix Bautista, the Orioles’ closer, is expected to miss the entire 2024 season. As a result, the team needs a relief pitcher.
After Kimbrel’s signing became official, the Phillies thanked him on social media for his time with the team.
“The team wrote, ‘Best of luck in Baltimore, Crag!”
