The Atlanta Braves have been active as the start of the regular season approaches. On Monday, they bolstered their catching depth by signing former All-Star James McCann to a minor league deal. Now, the Braves are further strengthening their roster by adding veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to a minor league contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. ESPN’s Jeff Passan also reported that Kimbrel could earn $2 million if he makes the Braves’ major league roster. Kimbrel, 36, has a long history with the Braves, having spent his first five MLB seasons with the team from 2010 to 2014. During his 294 appearances with Atlanta, he posted a 15-10 record, a 1.43 ERA, and 186 saves, earning four All-Star selections, a Reliever of the Year honor, four NL saves titles, and the 2011 NL Rookie of the Year award.
Kimbrel is coming off a challenging season with the Baltimore Orioles, where he recorded a 7-5 record, a 5.33 ERA, and 23 saves over 57 games. Now, he aims to prove he can bounce back and secure a spot in the Braves’ bullpen. This move represents low risk for Atlanta; if Kimbrel returns to form, he could provide solid value. Over his 837 career appearances with various teams—including the Braves, Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, and Orioles—Kimbrel has accumulated a 56-46 record, a 2.59 ERA, and 440 saves, along with nine All-Star selections.
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