Future Hall Of Famer Craig Kimbrel Signs With New Team
A Hall of Fame Career
The numbers behind Kimbrel's reputation are still staggering.
His 440 career saves rank fifth all-time, and he owns a career 2.67 ERA with 1,314 strikeouts across 884 relief appearances over 17 seasons.
He's a nine-time All-Star, won National League Reliever of the Year in 2014 and American League Reliever of the Year in 2017, and captured a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.
Craig Kimbrel is signing with Royals. MLB deal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 9, 2026
However, since the start of 2024, Kimbrel has a 4.78 ERA across 104 appearances, and this season he's posted a 4.81 ERA over 33.2 innings split between the Mets and Rays, with a 22.2 percent strikeout rate that's on pace to be the lowest of his entire career.
Why Kansas City Is Taking The Chance Anyway
The Royals' bullpen ranks ahead of only Oakland in ERA this season, and the front office is openly experimenting with new arms rather than sticking with what hasn't worked.
Kimbrel's path here traces back to a minor league deal with the Mets over the winter, a brief selection to their roster in April, a designation for assignment in May, a quick landing spot in Tampa Bay, and another release last weekend.
Craig Kimbrel signs a major-league deal with the Royals, who will be his 12th MLB franchise.
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 9, 2026
After he pitches for Kansas City there will only be four pitchers throughout history who have pitched for more MLB teams:
Edwin Jackson (14), Rich Hill (14), Octavio Dotel (13) and… pic.twitter.com/KGNSq6ErI6
Kansas City is absorbing very little financial risk in the process, since selecting Kimbrel's contract locked in a $2.5 million salary for 2026 that remains mostly the Mets' responsibility.
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