The long national nightmare is over for Baltimore Orioles fans — the team has designated Craig Kimbrel for assignment.
The Orioles have officially designated Craig Kimbrel for assignment, stirring a wave of reactions from fans. Signed to a one-year, $13 million deal in the offseason to replace All-Star closer Felix Bautista—who is sidelined for the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery—Kimbrel’s time in Baltimore has been a rollercoaster.
Coming off an All-Star season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023, Kimbrel started strong, but his performance waned as the season progressed. His notable struggles, especially during the NLCS where he blew two crucial games against the Arizona Diamondbacks, left a lasting impression on Phillies fans, and unfortunately, that shadow followed him to Baltimore.
Fans are now divided: some express disappointment at his departure, while others see it as a necessary step to strengthen the bullpen for the playoff push. With the stakes rising, the Orioles will need to reassess their late-game options. As the dust settles, Kimbrel’s legacy in Baltimore is sure to spark discussion—how will this affect the team moving forward?
In a move that has sparked significant chatter among fans, the Orioles have designated Craig Kimbrel for assignment, officially closing the chapter on his tumultuous tenure in Baltimore. After starting the 2024 season strong with a 2.10 ERA and only four blown saves in the first half, Kimbrel’s performance took a dramatic downturn following the All-Star break.
Since July 14, he has struggled mightily, allowing 23 earned runs in just 18 innings and walking 17 batters. The tipping point came during Tuesday night’s 10-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants, where Kimbrel surrendered six earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning, ballooning his September ERA to an astonishing 22.09 and his overall mark to 5.33.
Fans took to social media, expressing relief and excitement over the end of the Kimbrel era, with many calling it a necessary step for the team as they look to tighten their bullpen for the postseason push. As the Orioles focus on the future, the question now is: who will step up in Kimbrel’s absence? The hunt for reliable late-game options is on, and fans are eager to see how the team pivots from this latest decision.
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