Is Craig Kimbrel's MLB Career Coming to an End in Philadelphia?

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Craig Kimbrel to help bolster the bullpen, but lately he has just been a liability. Is the end of his MLB career in sight?

Kade Kistner | May 4, 2023

Is Craig Kimbrel's MLB Career Coming to an End in Philadelphia? /

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Philadelphia Phillies

Craig Kimbrel has made a name for himself over the last 14 years as one of the most prolific and dominant relief pitchers in MLB. It's that reputation that prompted the Philadelphia Phillies to dole out a one-year, $10 million contract to the 34-year-old this past winter.

Kimbrel was supposed to be a key cog in helping bolster the Phillies bullpen. He was never going to be the closer, but a seventh or even eighth inning guy was the plan.

Instead, Kimbrel's ERA sits at 8.25 after 12.0 innings pitched this year. His WHIP of 1.750 and FIP of 6.02 spell even bigger issues.

In his last two starts Kimbrel has allowed six earned runs over just 1.0 innings of work. In all fairness, Kimbrel did have eight scoreless appearances before the latest blowups.

But that is what you get with Kimbrel these days. He just hasn't been the absolutely dominant closer he became when he began with the Atlanta Braves and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox.

Now, Kimbrel can perform well in some situations, but is just as liable to give up a game with a horrific performance at the most inopportune times.

In short, he can't be trusted to get the job done when it matters most. Something a manager must be able to depend on their veteran relievers to do.

It raises the question: Is Craig Kimbrel's MLB career nearing a close?

Shelf life for relief pitchers is short as it is. At 34 years old Kimbrel is already on the upper end of the spectrum. Take into account his previous three seasons where when he loses it, he looks incapable of recording even an single out while on the mound.

How many other teams will take a chance on him not just financially, but with a roster spot?

He needs to right the ship and soon if he hopes to quiet the talk.

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Published May 4, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.