The Baltimore Orioles have filled the void in their bullpen left by Felix Bautista and his crushing UCL injury. They did so by bringing in one of the most decorated relievers in MLB history. The Orioles and Craig Kimbrel agreed on a one-year $13 million deal with an option for 2025.
Kimbrel is entering his 15th year in the league and joining his seventh team. He burst onto the scene with Atlanta, being named NL Rookie of the Year after his first full season in 2011. He led the NL with 46 saves, something he recreated over the next four consecutive seasons. From 2011-2014, Kimbrel took over the league. He made four straight All-Star rosters, finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting four consecutive years, and even finished in the top 10 in MVP voting in 2011. Kimbrel dominated the ninth by sitting the opposition down. His career 14.2 K/9 is the second highest in history among qualified relievers (min. 500 IP). He tallied 186 saves with a 1.43 ERA through five years with the Braves.
The 35-year-old became the eighth pitcher to reach 400 saves on May 26th. He did it in 730 games; only Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera got there faster. Just weeks later, Kimbrel was selected to his ninth All-Star roster, something 12 other pitchers and only two relievers have achieved in history.
Baltimore hopes to get the flashes out of the aging righty, like being named Reliever of the Month in June 2023. Although we will all remember Kimbrel’s time in Philadelphia by his colossal collapse in the ’23 NLCS, he was solid through his one-year $10 million prove-it deal with the Phillies. Kimbrel had 94 strikeouts through 66 innings of work and only allowed two runs throughout the month of September. He must return to his old self to replicate who he is replacing.
Felix, ‘The Mountain’ Bautista, is one of the most untouchable pitchers in recent MLB memory. He brings flashbacks of Cincinnati Reds Aroldis Chapman. Whenever the 6’8″ 280 lbs righty takes the mound, it is must-watch TV. His BaseballSavant page is something to marvel at. He is in the 100th percentile for xERA, xBA, Whiff%, and K%, as well as the 99th percentile for Fastball Velo (99.5). His fastball comes in over 100 miles an hour with a ridiculous amount of run, but his splitter is his strikeout pitch. The drop ball still comes in in the high 90s but drops off the table like a slider. Watching Bautista slice professional hitters is one of the most fun things to see in the entire league, but we will be without his mastery for the ’24 campaign. He hurt his UCL in late August, which unfortunately resulted in Tommy John surgery on October 1st. The surgery has a projected 14-month recovery timeline, holding The Mountain out of the 2024 season.
The Orioles will rely on Kimbrel to replicate at least 20 of Bautista’s 33 saves, but with the combination of All-Star Yennier Cano, the Orioles should be able to manage. With an incredibly young squad, Kimbrel will take the role of mentor, especially down the stretch and into the postseason, something he and his 2018 World Series ring have a lot of experience in.
