Craig Kimbrel appears to be adjusting his salary expectations now that the MLB season is well underway and he remains a free agent.
At one point during the offseason, Kimbrel was reportedly seeking a five-year contract and as much as $100 million. While he’s one of the best closers in MLB history and has a career 1.91 ERA, Kimbrel never stood a chance of getting anywhere close to that much money. According to Jon Heyman of Facred, the 30-year-old is now open to signing a three-year contract.
Among some interested teams, there’s belief Kimbrel would do a good 3-year deal now. Originally teams had the impression it would take at least 5. My take: Braves, who made a shorter-term try late in spring, remain best fit. Others: Brewers, Nats, Phillies. @Ken_Rosenthal on it
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 18, 2019
Heyman believes the Atlanta Braves are the best fit for Kimbrel, as they have a need in the back of their bullpen and Kimbrel pitched the first five seasons of his MLB career there.
Braves have a great young nucleus, obvious pen issues (Vizcaino now out for year) and huge and growing revenues. Plus, they got cost certainty and potential savings with Acuna/Albies deals. Kimbrel is said to love Atlanta, where he started, and Braves vets surely want him there.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 18, 2019
The Milwaukee Brewers are another team that has been consistently linked to Kimbrel, though their level of interest likely depends on how healthy Jeremy Jeffress is.
Kimbrel is not the only talented pitcher remaining on the free agent market, and he and the others are probably losing money by the day. It makes sense that he is no longer taking such a hard stance.
