Relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

All-Star reliever close to signing with AL East squad

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 12/6/23

Craig Kimbrel is close to making another stop on his baseball journey.

Kimbrel and the Baltimore Orioles are close to finalizing a deal. The news comes after reports on Tuesday night said Kimbrel was in serious discussions with the team.

Free-agent reliever Craig Kimbrel close to deal with Orioles, source tells @TheAthletic. Late last night, @Joelsherman1 reported serious discussions.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2023

The Orioles’ signing of Kimbrel would help them fill the closer role in 2024.

Felix Bautista put together an All-Star season for the Orioles in 2023, but the 28-year-old is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery. Bautista went 8-2 with 33 saves and a 1.48 ERA last season.

Kimbrel spent last season with the Phillies and made the All-Star team. He went 8-6 with 23 saves and a 3.26 ERA. The Orioles would be Kimbrel’s eighth team. The former 2011 NL Rookie of the Year will be on his fifth team since 2021.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: