‘Twas the night before the night before Christmas and all through the city, not a creature was stirring in the Phillies dugout… well except for Dave Dombrowski.
The Phillies’ president of baseball operations signed a big-name reliever for Philadelphia. Craig Kimbrel is reported to have signed a 1-year, $10 million contract.
Welcome to the Phillies, Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel has been one of the best closers in baseball throughout the last decade. He’s racked up 394 saves with a 2.31 ERA. He’ll be reuniting with Dave Dombrowski. Kimbrel was the closer for the 2018 World Series-winning Red Sox.
Kimbrel had a mediocre 2022 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had a 3.75 ERA and was 22/27 in save opportunities. He’s had a 3.01 ERA since 2021.
Kimbrel should be familiar to most Phillies fans as he was the closer for the Braves from 2011-14. Kimbrel will be plenty familiar with the Philly Phaithful.
Now 34-years old, Kimbrel will most likely not be the team’s closer. That will most likely be Seranthony Dominguez. Kimbrel will probably slot as a set-up man with Jose Alvarado.
The move should push Philly’s payroll over $250 million for the first time in history. They are now just shy of hitting the 2nd luxury tax level.
In 2022, the Phillies had the 8th worst bullpen ERA in baseball at 4.27. The move should sure up the back end of the Phillies’ bullpen. Lefty Matt Strahm was the Phillies other big relief signing of the offseason…so far.
Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
