As per David O’Brien of The Athletic, the market for free agent closer Craig Kimbrel is down to two clubs — the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Kimbrel, 30, spent the last three seasons in Boston, pitching to a 2.44 earned-run average and 1.52 fielding independent pitching rating, with 0.91 WHIP, 14.9 strikeouts and 3.7 walks per nine innings, and 108 saves (third-most in the majors over that time; 2016 through 2018).
The right-hander notched 42 saves over 63 appearances last season with a 2.74 ERA, 3.13 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, and a 3.10 strikeouts-to-walks ratio. While last year fell a bit short of the 1.43 ERA, 1.42 FIP, 0.68 WHIP, 9.00 strikeouts-to-walks campaign he put together in 2017 with the Sox, Kimbrel remains one of the elite closers in the game.
After the loss of Corey Knebel for what appears to be long-term (UCL), adding Kimbrel to a Brewers’ bullpen that already includes Josh Hader would significantly improve the reigning NL Central champions’ relief corps.
In Atlanta, a reunion with their one-time prized prospect and arguably the best closer in the history of their franchise (1.43 ERA, 1.52 FIP, 0.90 WHIP, 4.41 K/BB over five seasons; 2010 to 2014) would also make a ton of sense.
The reigning NL East champs have a fine collection of arms throughout their bullpen among the likes of Arodys Vizcaino, Jonny Venters, Dan Winkler, Jesse Biddle, and others. Bringing Kimbrel back into the fold could take that talented bunch to the next level.
And, make no mistake, it would be a nightmare scenario for the Mets.
