The Philadelphia Phillies are bringing in eight-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel on a one-year, $10-million contract, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.
Kimbrel, 34, is coming off a down year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He posted a 3.75 ERA and 3.23 FIP over 60 innings, eventually losing the ninth-inning role and being omitted from the postseason roster.
The right-hander’s second half was particularly rough, posting a 20.7% strikeout rate and 11.6% walk rate while coughing up three homers in 29 frames.
Over his illustrious 13-year career, which includes three Reliever of the Year nods, he has recorded 394 saves, good for seventh all time.
In 709 career appearances, Kimbrel possesses a 2.31 ERA and 2.34 FIP with a 40% strikeout rate and 10.2% walk rate.
If he recaptures his form, he’ll help solidify a Phillies bullpen that was quietly dominant last year and got saves from 11 different relievers. He will compete for the ninth-inning role with Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alvarado.
