Mets sign former All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to bolster bullpen
The New York Mets signed nine-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to a minor league contract, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, with a chance to make the major league roster.
Kimbrell is a 16-year veteran who has bounced around MLB over the last four years, becoming a journeyman as he seeks stability once again.
At his best, Kimbrell was the best closer in baseball, closing out games regularly, becoming almost automatic.
For his career, Kimbrell has a 2.58 ERA, racking up a total of 22.7 WAR despite his role as a reliever and the inconsistencies that have plagued him in his middle-to-late 30s.
However, he has played for five different teams since 2022, bouncing around the league. He had a good 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies, making an All-Star team, but he was terrible for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, posting a -1.1 bWAR and a 5.33 ERA.
He played in only 14 games during the 2025 season, one for Atlanta and 13 for the Houston Astros. Kimbrell posted a 2.45 ERA with the Astros, a strong showing that has led to another ahcne, this time from the New York Mets.
With a total of 440 saves, Kimbrel is a borderline Hall of Famer, depending on who is asked, but he is intent on adding to that total, hoping to track the Mets’ bullpen in the major leagues with a strong spring training.
How does the Mets’ bullpen look with Kimbrel?
The Mets have done good work to improve their bullpen, adding two high-potential relievers in Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, who have been great in the past but are coming off two respective downturns.
Kimbrel, when he is spinning the ball well, can still be effective, especially considering his experience in high-leverage moments both in the regular season and the postseason.
Back when he joined the Astros in the middle of the season, Kimbrel expressed his desire to pitch meaningful innings.
“It’s a great opportunity to go out there and pitch in some meaningful ballgames,” he said. “That’s why I’m still pitching. I want to pitch in some games that mean something, and I’m glad I’m here to do that.”
The departure of Edwin Diaz, Tyler Rodgers, and Ryan Hesley has left innings up for grabs in relief. The Mets added Luis Garcia, but Kimbrel could be a name that manager Carlos Mendoza could trust down the line.
