The Orioles would be wise to limit Craig Kimbrel’s workload in 2024 as a way to preserve their new closer throughout the course of a long season at this point in his career, according to Phillies color analyst Ben Davis, who watched Kimbrel seemingly wear down in the playoffs at the end of his one-year stint in Philadelphia.
Kimbrel, who is eighth on the all-time saves list with 417, recently signed a one-year deal that includes a club option for 2025 with the Orioles. Baltimore needed help at the back end of its bullpen to cover for the loss of All-Star closer Félix Bautista (Tommy John surgery).
Kimbrel, 35, pitched for the Phillies in 2023, earning the ninth All-Star selection of his career. The 6-foot, 215-pound right-hander posted a 3.26 ERA in 69 innings, striking out 94 and walking 28 en route to piling up 23 saves. But he struggled in the NLCS against Arizona (four runs on five hits and four walks in three innings), contributing to losses in Games 3 and 4.
Davis, who saw Kimbrel’s season unfold from start to finish, says the Orioles would be well-served to keep close tabs on the closer’s workload throughout the season. Kimbrel’s 69 innings last season were his most since 2017, and his 71 appearances were his most since 2011.
“I think the amount of times he was used last year, I think it really caught up to him,” Davis said on Glenn Clark Radio Dec. 7. “… In the first half he had really good ride on his fastball. He was 97-98 and had good ride to it, good finish to it. He was throwing it through the catcher’s mitt. In the second half, he did not seem to have that life on the fastball and the arm speed wasn’t there on the curveball, either. It kind of started to get a little loopy, just didn’t have that snap to it that it had in the first half.”
Kimbrel’s results were consistent throughout the 2023 season, pitching to a 3.41 ERA in the first half and 3.09 ERA in the second half. But he didn’t miss as many bats as the season wore on, striking out 10.4 batters per nine innings in the second half after posting a 13.9 mark in the first half.
With Kimbrel another year older, Davis suggests laying off the closer on back-to-back days and calling on other relievers to close out games the day after Kimbrel pitches. Yennier Cano, Danny Coulombe, DL Hall, Cionel Pérez, Dillon Tate and Tyler Wells all have recorded saves in the past.
“Back-to-back days, maybe they go a different route. But I know he’s going to want the ball in the ninth inning,” Davis said. “Obviously, he has that experience throughout the course of his career, and he’s going to take that ball whenever you offer it to him. But I think they would be wise to maybe [say], ‘Hey, you got the save yesterday, we’re going to go a different route today,’ if the Orioles are in that position to do so.”
Kimbrel fits the bill of what general manager Mike Elias has targeted on the free-agent market in recent years — established veterans on one-year deals. Elias has also made it a priority to bring in players who have a reputation as being solid influences in the clubhouse, like Robinson Chirinos, Kyle Gibson and James McCann.
Davis, who caught in the big leagues from 1998-2004, says Kimbrel fits in that regard, too.
“The guy works his tail off, and I think that’s something that his teammates are going to witness the first day in spring training,” Davis said. “I think it can wear off and I think it can leave a lasting impression on a younger ballclub because he is that guy. He’s been there, he’s done it for a lot of years now. They’re going to see that work ethic and how it’s translated into the longevity that he’s been able to sustain. I think that can leave a lasting impression on a younger ballclub, especially the pitching staff.”
For more from Davis, listen to the full interview here:
See Also:
• Stan ‘The Fan’ Charles: Craig Kimbrel Brings Lesser Stuff But Same Old Stare To Orioles
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Phillies