Boston Red Sox: Craig Kimbrel simply not worth the money
By Justin Keene
One of the Boston Red Sox biggest questions this offseason will be whether or not to bring closer Craig Kimbrel back, or to look for other options in the 9th inning.
The Boston Red Sox have a lot of players hitting the open market this offseason, but none may be more important than closer Craig Kimbrel.
The righty has been lights out during his three-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox, and was a crucial part of their success this season. in 2018, he went 42/47 in save opportunities, with a 2.74 ERA in 62.1 innings pitched.
Kimbrel also struck out 96 while only walking 31 batters. Kimbrel held opposing batters to a minuscule .146 average and a sub par .565 OPS. Those are some outstanding numbers, earning him his third straight All-Star appearance with the Red Sox.
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There is no doubt Kimbrel is an elite closer, but the question is whether or not the Red Sox should pay him that kind of money this offseason, especially when they have key players due up now and in the coming years (Mookie Betts, Chris Sale, Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez).
The Red Sox closer finishes as a top reliever year in and year out over the course of his career, and consistently during his three-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox.
He may just not be worth the money that he will demand on the open market, especially given the fact that the Red Sox may have to cut some corners with so many key players due for contracts in the next few years.
Heading into the 2018 season, Aroldis Chapman of the rival New York Yankees signed a 5-year, $86 million contract; Kimbrel would most certainly demand that type of money, if not more.
There are a few in – house options they could convert to closer. Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly, and Matt Barnes appear to be top candidates for the closer role come 2019 if they decide to let Kimbrel walk.
The Red Sox could save a lot of money and try to convert one of the players mentioned above into the closer for the 2019 season.
For the long run, it may not be a bad idea to let Kimbrel walk if it gives them a better chance to keep one of the cornerstone players of the franchise long-term.
Next. Boston Red Sox: Initial thoughts on upcoming free agency decisions. dark
It should be very interesting to see what Dave Dombrowski and ownership decide to do, as they look to repeat in 2019.