Baltimore — The motivation behind Craig Kimbrel’s desire to visit Baltimore? It was easy.
The right-hander, who is 35 years old and will go down as one of the all-time great closers, wants to win as many games as he can before hanging up the bat. And after the Orioles finished with a 101-61 record and an American League East title, he sees a chance to win a lot of games.
Kimbrel stated, “They want to win, and they want to win now,” on a Thursday afternoon introductory Zoom call. “I have no idea how long I have left to go out there and throw the ball and do this. Part of a winner is what I want to be. They gave me everything I needed to feel comfortable taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity.
It also didn’t hurt that Baltimore needed a closer because its bullpen had a huge void in it. Following Tommy John surgery in October, All-Star right-hander Félix Bautista, who was named the AL’s top reliever in 2023 and won the Mariano Rivera Award, will miss the whole 2024 season.
With a $13 million team option for 2025 (or a $1 million buyout) and a $12 million salary for next season, Kimbrel intends to be a reliable fill-in while attempting to increase his career save total, which currently stands at 417, the eighth most in AL/NL history.
“It’s challenging to succeed in the role of [Bautista], and his accomplishments from the previous year were unparalleled and truly remarkable,” Kimbrel remarked. “I completely anticipate to step in, fill those shoes, and keep this squad rolling. See, that’s the reason I registered here.
“I believe that part of the reason the Orioles wanted me to come in here and just keep the train rolling and keep the wheels going is because that’s what I’ve been doing my entire career.”
Should Kimbrel be successful with Baltimore, he ought to keep rising up the all-time saves chart. Despite ranking seventh, Kenley Jansen (420) continues to pitch for Boston. In 2024, Kimbrel might surpass Francisco RodrÃguez (437), John Franco (424), and Billy Wagner (422).
Kimbrel is not the same pitcher he was in his early career, when opponents seldom scored on him, as both the Orioles and he recognize. In 294 games for the Braves between 2010 and 2014, the nine-time All-Star and three-team Reliever of the Year Award winner posted a 1.43 ERA.
However, Kimbrel is still capable of having overpowering outings, and he is always happy to receive the ball in the ninth. He recorded a 3.26 ERA and 23 saves in 71 games during his one and only season with the Phillies in 2023. He was especially strong in the months of June (0.69 ERA in 13 games), July (1.38 ERA in 13 games), and September (1.50 ERA in 12 games).
“I’m in the ninth inning. I adore it. It all comes down to who I am, Kimbrel remarked. “There will be days when I walk outside and am struck in the face by a punch. That won’t define who I am as a person, a pitcher, or a player. I am aware that there will be another chance to make things right the next day.
Mike Elias, general manager of Baltimore, was also drawn to Kimbrel because of his experience as a mentor to the pitching staff, having spent 14 years in the major leagues. Kyle Gibson, a 36-year-old starter who led a young rotation this past season after signing a free agent contract with the Cardinals, is no longer with the O’s.
Elias remarked, “It’s a nice thing that our young bullpen is lacking.” “We felt like it was kind of the right guy for us, and the right time.”
2018 saw Kimbrel win a World Series championship with Boston. Every year he spent with the Red Sox (2016–18), the Braves (2010, 2011, 2013,), the Cubs (‘20), the White Sox (‘21), and the Phillies (‘23), he pitched in the postseason.
Before Baltimore was routed in three games by Texas in the AL Division Series in 2023, many of the key relievers in the Orioles bullpen, including All-Star setup man Yennier Cano and lefties Danny Coulombe and Cionel Pérez, had never played in the postseason.
Kimbrel is eager to contribute and will gladly impart his extensive baseball knowledge to the Orioles as he works to help them advance further into October.
“Getting to know a lot of these guys who are going to be playing this game for longer than I have and are going to continue to make this game great and fun, I sure do get a lot of satisfaction and happiness,” Kimbrel remarked. It’s a common belief that if certain older men are around younger people, some of the youth may emerge. That’s hopefully the case.