Baltimore Orioles Land Possible Craig Kimbrel Replacement From Phillies

The Baltimore Orioles may have just gotten their new closer from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Jul 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Gregory Soto delivers a pitch. / Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Craig Kimbrel's days as the Baltimore Orioles' closer may officially be numbered.

The Orioles acquired another reliever with closing experience right before Tuesday's 6 p.m. trade deadline, landing Gregory Soto from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitching prospect Seth Johnson.

Soto, 29, is a left-handed reliever who's 2-4 with a 4.08 ERA and two saves in 43 appearances this year. While the Phillies have primarily used him in a setup role over the last two seasons (including last year in front of Kimbrel), he has 55 career saves under his belt and was a two-time All-Star with the Detroit Tigers prior to being traded to Philadelphia.

Phillies have traded Gregory Soto to Baltimore, sources said. Righty starter Seth Johnson, who goes on the 40-man roster, is coming from Orioles as @kileymcd reported.

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 30, 2024

Soto gives Brandon Hyde the option to mix and match in the ninth inning if he chooses, which might be a good idea based on Kimbrel's recent struggles. The nine-time All-Star has been a disaster lately with a 13.50 ERA, two blown saves and a loss over his last five outings.

Kimbrel, who is seven years older than Soto, may be wearing down after a strong first half, so having another closing option for the stretch run could be beneficial. Soto has one more year of team control left as well, so he isn't merely a rental.

In return, the Phillies receive Johnson, a 25-year-old pitching prospect at Double-A. Ranked as Baltimore's No. 8 overall prospect and No. 3 pitching prospect by MLB Pipeline, Johnson is 0-6 with a 2.63 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP in 18 starts this season.

The Orioles sacrificed a bit of the future for the present with this deal, but it could pay off if Soto helps solidify the bullpen going forward.