Orioles, Kimbrel agree to 1-year deal reportedly worth $13M
The Baltimore Orioles agreed to a one-year contract with veteran closer Craig Kimbrel, the team announced Wednesday.
The deal pays Kimbrel $12 million in 2024 and includes a $13-million club option for 2025 with a $1-million buyout, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.
There are also incentives that could bring up the value of Kimbrel's deal, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.
"He is one of the best closers in baseball history at this point. He's still got a lot left in the tank," Orioles general manager Mike Elias said while adding that he sees the nine-time All-Star as the team's closer next season, according to Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner.
Kimbrel spent the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, saving 23 games while striking out 94 hitters in 69 innings. The 35-year-old is second among active pitchers in saves with 417.
Kimbrel said he joined the Orioles because he wants to win now, knowing he doesn't have too many years of pitching left in him.
"I see the winning opportunity that this team has. I wanted to be a part of it. To me, that was more important," he said, according to MLB.com's Jake Rill.
Kimbrel joins a stellar Orioles bullpen that ranked first in FIP, second in fWAR, fifth in ERA, and seventh in win probability added last season.
Orioles' 2024 projected bullpen
| PITCHER | THROWS | ERA | FIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craig Kimbrel | R | 3.26 | 3.81 |
| Yennier Cano | R | 2.11 | 2.84 |
| Danny Coulombe | L | 2.81 | 2.83 |
| Tyler Wells | R | 3.64 | 4.98 |
| DL Hall | L | 3.26 | 3.00 |
| Jacob Webb | R | 3.27 | 2.80 |
| Cionel Pérez | L | 3.54 | 3.84 |
| Mike Baumann | R | 3.76 | 4.40 |
The Orioles were on the hunt for a closer this winter, with Félix Bautista expected to miss the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.