Nine-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel and the St. Louis Cardinals have had their share of battles over the years. Now might be the right time to move forward and join forces. Kimbrel, who turns 37 in May, remains a free agent after a rough stint with the Baltimore Orioles last season. The veteran reliever posted a 7-5 record with a 5.33 ERA and a -1.1 bWAR over 57 appearances. He looked like his former All-Star self in the first half, recording a 2.80 ERA and 23 saves, but his second half was disastrous, with a 10.59 ERA and a 20-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Cardinals fans may not be thrilled at the idea of signing Kimbrel, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the team is still looking to add an experienced reliever. Given that, bringing in Kimbrel—perhaps on a minor-league deal—makes sense. The ideal scenario would see him replicating his strong first half on a team in transition, making him a valuable trade asset for contenders. If he struggles, the Cardinals won’t have risked much. As they enter a new era, likely without longtime star third baseman Nolan Arenado, taking a chance on Kimbrel could be a low-risk move.
Since his MLB debut in 2010, Kimbrel has posted a 2.23 ERA and recorded 19 saves in 38 games against the Cardinals. He’s also familiar with the NL Central, having pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2019-21. While he’s far removed from his peak years with the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox, he has still earned two All-Star nods since 2019, though his 3.90 ERA in that span shows some decline.
Spotrac estimates Kimbrel’s career earnings at nearly $128 million, so a minor-league deal could be an option if he’s determined to continue playing and pursue another World Series ring. A partnership between the Cardinals and Kimbrel could be intriguing, even if he serves in a middle-relief role. Whether the Cardinals share that interest remains to be seen.