Craig Kimbrel is close to making another stop on his baseball journey.
Kimbrel and the Baltimore Orioles are close to finalizing a deal. The news comes after reports on Tuesday night said Kimbrel was in serious discussions with the team.
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
The Orioles’ signing of Kimbrel would help them fill the closer role in 2024.
Felix Bautista put together an All-Star season for the Orioles in 2023, but the 28-year-old is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery. Bautista went 8-2 with 33 saves and a 1.48 ERA last season.
Kimbrel spent last season with the Phillies and made the All-Star team. He went 8-6 with 23 saves and a 3.26 ERA. The Orioles would be Kimbrel’s eighth team. The former 2011 NL Rookie of the Year will be on his fifth team since 2021.
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