The Boston Red Sox have fond memories of former closer Craig Kimbrel. While it would be Chris Sale that closed out the 2018 World Series win, Kimbrel was pivotal to Boston's surprise run. It isn't a hot take to point out that the Red Sox don't make it to this point without the dominating closer. With this in mind, it was noteworthy on Friday when the former Red Sox signed with the Houston Astros on a Major League deal, per MLB Trade Rumors.
Kimbrel has spent the first part of the season in the minor leagues with the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. This was on the heels of imploding at the end of the 2024 season with a Boston rival. The Baltimore Orioles enjoyed a solid first half from Kimbrel before things imploded and caused the team to turn the page. Part of the natural fallout of this has been the veteran continuing to search for a new Major League opportunity.
Houston is the perfect landing spot, leading their division, and they needed more bullpen stability. Kimbrel doesn't have to deal with lofty expectations or the disrespect he faced in Atlanta. The league's fifth all-time leading closer simply needs to show he can be the version of himself from the first half of the 2024 season.
Former Red Sox RHP Craig Kimbrel Gets Surprise Opportunity with Astros
For Boston, this isn't a deal the franchise needed to consider with the bullpen having the needed pieces in place. If Kimbrel returned to form, it would be a great addition, but this does remain a long shot, and the Red Sox would be required to open up a precious roster spot. Perhaps if this were expanded rosters, there is a reason to consider making the move.
However, with the current construction of the roster, there simply isn't a reason to consider rocking the boat. Boston continues to be the league's underdog story, giving Red Sox fans a reason to watch once again. After a handful of frustrating seasons, this team is bringing back memories of a surprise 2018 run built around an underdog mentality.
This was the team Kimbrel contributed to as the closer, with the rest of the roster finding ways to overachieve expectations. It was the last truly exciting surprise run Boston has been on prior to this season. Giving fans hope that perhaps the 2025 season is following a familiar script for a prestige franchise.