Craig Kimbrel is one of the best relief pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) today, known for his dominant fastball and devastating breaking ball.
He has spent over a decade in the league, pitching for several teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs.
We will explore why Craig Kimbrel became a free agent pitcher at the end of the 2022 MLB season. We’ll delve into the details of his previous contract, his performance in 2022, and the demand for his services on the free agent market.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of why Kimbrel was one of the most sought-after pitchers in the offseason and what his future might hold in MLB.
Background on Craig Kimbrel’s Contract Situation
Craig Kimbrel signed a three-year, $43 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in June 2019. The contract included a club option for the 2022 season, which the Cubs exercised, keeping Kimbrel on the team for another year. Under the terms of the contract, Kimbrel was set to earn $16 million in 2022.
However, the Cubs traded him to the Chicago White Sox in July 2022, at which point Kimbrel’s salary for the remainder of the season was adjusted to reflect the fact that the White Sox would only be paying him for the remaining portion of the season.
Once the 2022 season ended, Kimbrel became a free agent, as his contract with the Cubs had expired. This meant that he was free to negotiate with any team that was interested in signing him.
The Cubs did not make a qualifying offer to Kimbrel, which would have allowed them to receive draft pick compensation if he signed with another team. Instead, Kimbrel hit the free agent market without any restrictions on his ability to sign with a new team.
Kimbrel’s Performance in 2022
Craig Kimbrel had an outstanding 2022 MLB season, which likely increased his value as a free agent. He appeared in a total of 52 games, pitching 49 innings and recording 26 saves.
During that time, he had an ERA of 1.54 and a WHIP of 0.76. He struck out 73 batters, while walking only 12, and held opposing hitters to a batting average of just .147.
Kimbrel’s performance in 2022 was consistent with his career averages, and in some ways, even better. Over the course of his 12-year career, Kimbrel has recorded an ERA of 2.20, a WHIP of 0.95, and has struck out 14.8 batters per nine innings pitched.
Given his impressive performance in 2022, it’s likely that Kimbrel’s value as a free agent increased. Teams in need of a dominant relief pitcher would have been willing to pay top dollar for his services, especially given his track record of success.
Additionally, Kimbrel’s age, 34 years old, means that he still has a few good years left in him before his performance begins to decline. All of these factors combined to make Kimbrel one of the most sought-after free agents in the offseason.
Demand for Kimbrel’s Services
Craig Kimbrel’s impressive track record and dominant performance in the 2022 MLB season made him one of the most sought-after free agent pitchers in the offseason.
Several teams were rumored to be interested in signing him, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, and Boston Red Sox, among others.
There were several factors that likely influenced teams’ interest in Kimbrel. First and foremost was his track record of success.
As a seven-time All-Star and former National League Rookie of the Year, Kimbrel has consistently been one of the best relief pitchers in the game.
He has a proven ability to close out games in high-pressure situations, making him a valuable asset to any team in need of bullpen help.
Another factor that likely contributed to Kimbrel’s high demand was his age. At 34 years old, he is still in the prime of his career and has shown no signs of slowing down.
This means that any team that signs him could expect to get a few more years of dominant performance before he begins to decline.
Finally, Kimbrel’s performance in the 2022 MLB season likely played a role in teams’ interest in him. He had one of his best seasons in recent years, putting up impressive numbers across the board.
Teams in need of bullpen help would have seen his performance as a sign that he is still one of the best relief pitchers in the game, and therefore worth the investment.
Craig Kimbrel’s Career Performance Statistics
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Saves | 370 |
| Save Percentage | 91.4% |
| Strikeouts | 954 |
| Earned Run Average | 2.03 |
| WHIP | 0.95 |
| All-Star Selections | 7 |
FAQs
What is Craig Kimbrel’s career save percentage?
Craig Kimbrel has a career save percentage of 91.4%. He has recorded 370 saves in 406 opportunities over the course of his 12-year career.
How many All-Star games has Craig Kimbrel been selected to?
Craig Kimbrel has been selected to the All-Star game seven times in his career. He was also the National League Rookie of the Year in 2011.
How much did Craig Kimbrel make in his previous contract with the Cubs?
Craig Kimbrel made $43 million over three years in his previous contract with the Chicago Cubs. The contract was signed in 2019 and expired at the end of the 2022 season.
Has Craig Kimbrel won any awards during his career?
In addition to being the National League Rookie of the Year in 2011, Craig Kimbrel has also won the Rolaids Relief Man Award three times and the Delivery Man of the Year Award twice.
What is the highest salary Craig Kimbrel has ever earned in a single season?
The highest salary Craig Kimbrel has ever earned in a single season is $16 million. He earned this salary in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons while playing for the Boston Red Sox.
Conclusion
Craig Kimbrel’s status as a free agent pitcher was the result of his contract with the Chicago Cubs expiring at the end of the 2022 MLB season.
His impressive performance during that season, combined with his track record of success and his relatively young age, made him one of the most sought-after free agents in the offseason.
Several teams were rumored to be interested in signing him, and ultimately, he signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
As one of the best relief pitchers in the game, Kimbrel’s performance in the upcoming season will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
