Just two months ago, Baltimore Orioles legend Jim Palmer argued that closer Craig Kimbrel was snubbed from the American League All-Star team.
While the nine-time All-Star stopper had a terrific first half of 2024, his post-break numbers have been stunningly bad. With the Orioles (84-67) preparing for an all but certain playoff berth, they cut ties with Kimbrel on Wednesday, prematurely ending his first season in Baltimore.
The move comes less than 24 hours after arguably the 36-year-old’s worst game of his career. Kimbrel allowed a career-high six runs (all earned) on three hits with two walks, two strikeouts and one wild pitch in Tuesday’s 10-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
It was his first appearance in eight days, as the team was, perhaps, giving the former NL Rookie of the Year a chance to clear his head. What’s most stunning about Kimbrel’s summer implosion is that he was having one of his best seasons before the All-Star break.
When Palmer blasted MLB on social media on July 8 for leaving Kimbrel out of the Midsummer Classic, the 2008 third-round pick’s ERA (2.10) and WHIP (0.90) were both his lowest since 2017. Kimbrel was also tied for third in MLB in saves with 23, had a 5-2 record and had allowed eight earned runs on 17 hits with 52 strikeouts against 14 walks in 34 1/3 innings pitched over 38 outings.
The 2018 World Series champion didn’t have a save after July 7 and was eventually replaced by midseason acquisition Seranthony Dominguez in the closer’s role. Kimbrel entered the All-Star break with a 2.80 ERA and had nearly doubled it (5.33) by the time of Wednesday’s news.
He surrendered a whopping 22 runs (20 earned) on 22 hits and 15 walks over his last 17 innings and the team has faltered in the second half with a 26-29 record.
Baltimore is four games behind the New York Yankees (88-63) in the AL East race but is two and a half up on the Kansas City Royals (82-70) for the top wild-card spot.
Kimbrel departs Baltimore fifth all-time in saves (440) and second among active pitchers, trailing only Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (446). The former also has the most ninth-inning strikeouts in MLB history (1,026).
It’s too late for Kimbrel to turn around a disappointing end to his 2024 campaign, but perhaps he can return on a short-term deal looking for a veteran bullpen arm in 2025.
