Report: Orioles, Craig Kimbrel close to a deal

Former Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel is nearing a deal with the Baltimore Orioles, according to a report from Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Kimbrel, 35, was an All-Star with the Phillies in 2023. He finished the regular season with a 3.26 ERA and 23 saves. He earned his 400th career save on May 26 against the Atlanta Braves.

But his struggles in the National League Championship Series define his short tenure in Philadelphia. After allowing zero earned runs over his first four games of the 2023 postseason, Kimbrel allowed the winning run to score in Game 3 and blew his first career save in the postseason in Game 4.

After dominating and being a huge part of the success of the Phillies bullpen in the first half, Kimbrel, more times than not, walked a tightrope. His command slipped at times, but the Phillies, at least until the very end, did not waver from using Kimbrel in the ninth in save situations.

The Orioles are an ideal fit for Kimbrel. With Félix Bautista out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Kimbrel gets to pitch in the ninth inning for a young contending team.

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