Aug 11, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) looks down after he pitched the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports Kim Klement Neitzel
Former Phillie Craig Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles, the club announced Wednesday afternoon.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/01oGelj2Ty
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 18, 2024
Kimbrel was actually pretty effective for the O's in the first half of the season, posting a 2.80 ERA and recording 23 saves across 39 games. However, he's hit a wall since the All-Star Break, with a 10.59 ERA across 18 games. He'll now almost certainly clear waivers and elect free agency. Whether he wants to pitch again this season and/or will have the opportunity to do so for another team remains to be seen.
With All-Star closer Félix Bautista out for the season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, the Orioles signed Kimbrel to a one-year/$12 million deal. It was essentially a $13 million deal, because if the Orioles decided not to pick up Kimbrel's $13 million club option for 2025, they would owe him a $1 million buyout on top of the $12 million from this season. Obviously, that's now what will take place.
Kimbrel unquestionably ran out of gas in the postseason in what proved to be his lone season with the Phillies, though he had some pretty effective stretches in the regular season. While a 3.26 ERA and 3.81 FIP don't necessarily stand out, Kimbrel was a workhorse out of the Phillies bullpen in 2023, pitching in 71 regular season games.
At 36, it's unclear what the future holds for the nine-time All-Star. He could definitely try to hang on for another year, but he's arguably hurt his legacy the deeper into his 30s that he's pitched. As is, the 2011 NL Rookie of the Year is one of the most accomplished relievers ever with 440 saves, which are fifth in MLB history. If he doesn't throw another pitch at the MLB level, Kimbrel will have a compelling Hall of Fame case.
Meanwhile, the Orioles still have a pair of former Phillies in their bullpen, having acquired both Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto prior to the trade deadline. The former has a 3.26 ERA since being acquired by Baltimore, while the latter has an unsightly 6.59 mark.
