Even with March looming, there are multiple good free agents left on the market in Major League Baseball, and one is refusing to compromise on his perceived value.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel is not lowering his valuation and could sit out the entire 2019 season if he does not get an enticing enough offer.
According to multiple GMs Craig Kimbrel asking price has still not come down and sources close to Kimbrel think he will consider sitting out the year if he doesn’t get close to his perceived value.
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) February 23, 2019
This would certainly be a bold and unprecedented move. Most free agents in Kimbrel’s situation either lower their expectations or take a one-year deal before trying the market again next offseason, but if this reporting is accurate, Kimbrel isn’t interested in doing either.
One problem Kimbrel is facing is that one potential suitor, the Philadelphia Phillies, have been tied up in a Bryce Harper pursuit and aren’t focusing on other things at the moment. There may also be a dark horse involved, so there’s hope for Kimbrel yet.
