Phillies

Report: Craig Kimbrel Close to Deal with the Orioles

By Kyle Pagan

Published: Dec 6th, 2023 · 11:47 AM EST

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Craig Kimbrel to the Orioles is basically done, according to Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic (with ads):

Free-agent reliever Craig Kimbrel close to deal with Orioles, source tells @TheAthletic. Late last night, @Joelsherman1 reported serious discussions.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2023

Thank God. No more late-inning, vomit-inducing relief appearances from a guy who could never figure out the pitch clock. I know someone is going to say analytics shows he gave us 69 pretty solid innings, but personally I’ll take no Craig Kimbrel over the ulcer.

Can’t understand this move from the O’s even with their closer out for the season. A 39 year old who showed you plenty of times he struggled in high-leverage situations doesn’t seem like the recipe for success for a ball club coming off the best record in the AL in a division that had three playoff teams and is only going to get better. The Phillies trusted him in the NLCS and he ran out of gas.

Something tells me Kimbrel is going to lead the league in awkward light shows this season:

Some boos for Craig Kimbrel coming out with intro music for the 8th pic.twitter.com/NV8bnc2jHh

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 23, 2023

So what’s next for the Phillies’ closer role? A MLB insider thinks they could land Josh Hader. Scott Lauber from the Inky says don’t hold your breath. It looks like Dave Dombrowski is going to work the margins for the rest of free agency:

“We’ve come in here trying to be open-minded to anything to get our ballclub better more around the edges, let’s say,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said as the three-day meetings opened at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. “That’s how we’re out there pursuing anything.”