The Craig Kimbrel era is over for now in Baltimore, as the Orioles designated the former All-Star closer for assignment on Wednesday.
Baltimore has recalled RHP Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Kimbrel on the roster.
The O’s signed the 36-year-old to a one-year deal with a 2025 option last winter hoping he could get past a rough end to his time in Philly and take over the closer’s role while Felix Bautista recovered from Tommy John surgery this season, but that only lasted for so long.
Kimbrel posted a 2.10 ERA and 23 saves in the first half and held batters to a .150 average, but in the second half, he has allowed 22 earned runs in 17 innings, with a 2.177 WHIP, .360 BAbip, and .978 OPS. He lost the closer’s job to deadline pickup Seranthony Dominguez, and, in his final appearance Tuesday night, allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning to perhaps end his season.
All told, Kimbrel’s year will cost the Orioles about $13.6 million - $12 million in base salary (give or take if a team claims him or signs him to their roster in the final 11 days of the season), $600K in incentives for reaching 55 games pitched and 35 finished, and $1 million for the buyout of his 2025 option (owed regardless of whether or not he is claimed on waivers or signed later).
And then, the future begins for Kimbrel, whose 440 saves are fifth all-time and second among active players to Boston’s Kenley Jansen, who has 446.
Baker, added to replace Kimbrel, posted a 4.71 ERA in 21 innings over 17 MLB appearances with the O’s earlier this year, and a 5.17 ERA in 31 1/3 innings at Norfolk.