Orioles agree to terms with RHP Craig Kimbrel

By MASN Staff

Orioles

December 06, 2023, 4:19pm

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The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher CRAIG KIMBREL on a one-year contract for the 2024 season with a club option for 2025.

Kimbrel, 35, pitched in 71 games for the Phillies in 2023, the second time in his career making at least 70 appearances in a season (79, 2011). He went 8-6 with 23 saves and a 3.26 ERA (25 ER/69.0 IP) with 44 hits (10 HR), 28 total runs allowed, 28 walks (1 IBB), four hit-by-pitches, and 94 strikeouts last year. In his final 57 appearances of the season, he pitched to a 2.21 ERA (14 ER/57.0 IP), including a 1.50 ERA (2 ER/12.0 IP) in 12 September games. Kimbrel went 0-2 with three saves and a 6.00 ERA (4 ER/6.0 IP) in seven Postseason appearances in 2023.

The nine-time All-Star and 2018 World Series champion with the Red Sox is one of eight pitchers in MLB history with at least 400 saves. He is second among active players with 417 saves, three behind Boston’s Kenley Jansen. Kimbrel is the only pitcher to win both the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award (2017) and Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award (2014). He was the unanimous NL Rookie of the Year in 2011 with the Braves after setting the MLB record for the most saves by a rookie with 46. His accolades also include winning 2013 Delivery Man of the Year and the Rolaids Relief Man Award in 2012.

A native of Huntsville, Ala., Kimbrel was selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Wallace State Community College (AL). He made his Major League debut with Atlanta on May 7, 2010, and has also pitched for the Padres, Cubs, and White Sox during his 14-year career. He’s gone 49-42 in 780 career games with 417 saves in 470 opportunities at the Major League level. Among players with at least 170 save chances, his 88.7 save percentage is the fifth-best all time. He's also secured 10 Postseason saves, tied for eighth all time.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 37 players.