Craig Kimbrel 2024

[Roy Firestone]

On 8/17/2024 at 1:21 PM, Frobby said:

Let’s say, hypothetically, that Kimbrel was lights out for the rest of the season beginning with his next appearance.  I think even in that scenario, exercising the option wouldn’t make sense.  He’s just proven to be too inconsistent to warrant $13 mm.  I guess in that scenario I could envision the O’s reupping with him at some lower dollar figure, but I doubt Kimbrel would want to rejoin a team where he’s unlikely to be the closer.  

Let's face facts. First, he isnt going to be the pitcher he was, even earlier this season. He's 36, his velocity is down as well as his command. If the Orioles weren't paying him 13 million(with a 1 million buyout) he wouldn't even be on this roster. I'd  consider Brandon Young coming up. He's a big kid with strikeout stuff. Pitched reasonably well last night on his birthday. This bullpen has at least two pitchers who Hyde cant even consider in any kind of tight game.I'd give Young a shot. He couldn't be worse than it already is.

[Uli2001]

This was a bet by Elias that really blew up in his face. To pay this much money for this kind of performance.

[LookitsPuck]

3 minutes ago, Uli2001 said:

This was a bet by Elias that really blew up in his face. To pay this much money for this kind of performance.

He was excellent earlier in the year when his velocity was a few ticks higher, but it’s dropped as well as his command. I was OK with the Kimbrel acquisition. I was not ok with it being the only real reliever acquired outside of Elias’s typical waiver diving approach.