Former Phillies' Closer Craig Kimbrel Nears deal with Baltimore

After one all-star season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Craig Kimbrel has reportedly found a new team to try to continue his career with.

Kimbrel, the closer with the eighth most saves in MLB history, is close to a deal with the Baltimore Orioles, according to multiple sources.

Kimbrel, 35, hit free agency after a season where he 23 games for the Phillies with an ERA of 3.25, 94 strikeouts in 69 innings pitched in 2023.

Get our free mobile app

A nine-time All-Star and the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year winner, Kimbrel struggled in postseason play with the Phillies. He went 0-2 with a 12.00 ERA and 3.000 WHIP in the NLCS against Arizona. He walked four batters in three innings and was the losing pitcher in both Games 3 and 4.

Kimbrel is second among all active pitchers with 417 saves.

He joins a Baltimore team that won 101 games, wining the AL East crown in 2023. They are in need of a back end of the bullpen arm with their closer Felix Bautista lost due to Tommy John surgery for the 2024 season.

The Best Philly Athletes Age 25 or Younger

Philadelphia has some great young athletes right now, from All-Star Tyrese Maxey to two first-round draft picks on the Eagles Defensive Line (Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter). In honor of the Philly Sports Youth Movement, here is my ranking of the Top Ten Philadelphia Professional Athletes who are 25 years old or younger:

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media