Boston Red Sox Rumors: Craig Kimbrel now the last closer standing

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Craig Kimbrel, of course is still available and clearly no one, not even our Boston Red Sox, is interested at his current asking price. Much was made, however, of Kimbrel’s late season and postseason struggles, which may also be putting a damper on his market. Still, his peripherals suggest no degradation of his stuff but rather a struggle to harness it (17.2 percent  SwStrk, which is outstanding, coupled with a 36.6 percent Zone, which is not). Kimbrel’s first season in Boston was quite similar, in fact, leaving no reason to believe the issues are not correctable.

If Kimbrel remains too rich for Dombrowski’s blood, he could roll the dice and bring in the likes of Boxberger, AJ Ramos, Brad Brach, Bud Norris or Sergio Romo, all of whom have had stretches of dominance over the later innings.

Or, frankly, Dombrowski could just stand pat. By July, maybe Texas is ready to shop current closer Jose Leclerc. Or maybe Cincinnati’s offseason activities fail to put them into contention and Raisel Iglasias becomes available.

San Diego’s Kirby Yates, San Francisco’s Will Smith and Mark Melancon and the White Sox’ newest acquisitions, Kelvin Herrera and Colome, could all become targets for the kind of midseason reinforcement contenders aim for at the trade deadline.

Regardless, Dombrowski, Cora and the rest of the Boston Red Sox top brass seem to have a plan. Whether or not that plan will include Kimbrel, or any other relievers not yet on the roster, remains to be seen.