Nine-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel has had plenty of battles with the St. Louis Cardinals over the years.
Perhaps it’s time to put the past aside and finally join forces.
Kimbrel, who turns 37 in May, is still unsigned after a rough season with the Baltimore Orioles. The veteran reliever posted a 7-5 record with a 5.33 ERA and a -1.1 bWAR across 57 appearances.
Early on, Kimbrel looked like his old All-Star self, recording a 2.80 ERA and 23 saves in the first half. However, his second-half struggles—marked by a 10.59 ERA and a 20-15 K-BB ratio—paint a different picture.
Cardinals fans may not be thrilled about the idea of signing Kimbrel, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported that the team is still looking to add an experienced reliever.
Given that, the Cardinals should seriously consider bringing him in, even on a minor-league deal. The ideal scenario? Kimbrel puts together another strong first half and becomes a valuable trade piece for a contending team.
If he’s completely lost his effectiveness, so be it—the Cardinals wouldn’t be risking much, especially as they transition into a new era, possibly without perennial All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado.
Kimbrel has a 2.23 ERA and 19 saves in 38 career appearances against the Cardinals and is no stranger to the NL Central, having pitched for the Cubs from 2019-21.
While his dominant years with the Braves and Red Sox are long behind him, Kimbrel has still made two All-Star teams since 2019, though his 3.90 ERA over that span shows some decline.
With nearly $128 million in career earnings, per Spotrac, Kimbrel might be willing to take a minor-league deal if he hopes to keep pitching and chase a second World Series ring.
A Cardinals-Kimbrel pairing could be intriguing, even if he only ends up in a middle-relief role. Now, it’s just a matter of whether St. Louis is interested.
Leave a Reply