After failing to make the New York Mets roster, future Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel could’ve pursued opportunities elsewhere for the 2026 regular season, but the club got a positive update on his status.
Kimbrel will remain in the Mets organization, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. As a longtime veteran who was on a big-league roster to close last season, the right-hander could’ve opted out of his minor league deal with the team after falling short of a job. Instead, he’ll stick around as roster depth, at least for the time being. Kimbrel will have additional opportunities to opt out on the 1st of May and the 1st of June.
“He likes it here, he wants to win, but he also is going to look around for opportunities,” manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters, including Alex Smith of SNY, after the decision to cut Kimbrel from the MLB squad. “But there’s a good chance he stays back here in Florida, to continue to pitch and [wait] until the opportunity presents.”
New York Mets Roster News: Craig Kimbrel Will Not Opt Out, Plans to Stay With Organization
Kimbrel landed a minor league pact with the Mets at the end of January. It included an invitation to MLB Spring Training. The deal would’ve paid the reliever $2.5 million if he made the team. Kimbrel tossed six innings with a 4.50 ERA in the spring. He notched five strikeouts, but also had five walks.
The man with 440 saves failed to record one for the first time in his 16-year career last season. Kimbrel began the campaign with the Atlanta Braves on a minor league deal. He made just one appearance with the club. He went to the Texas Rangers, then bounced to the Houston Astros. Kimbrel looked great in Houston, delivering a 2.25 ERA with a 34.8% strikeout rate across 13 appearances.
The 37-year-old Kimbrel began his career with the Braves in 2010. He was one of the most dominant closers in the league for the better part of the decade. Kimbrel paced the National League in saves every season from 2011 through 2014. He continued to excel in stints with the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs. Kimbrel’s performance began to wane in the 2020s. He’s changed teams repeatedly, having pitched for seven different clubs since 2021.
Who Will Round Out the Mets’ Bullpen?
New York made a pair of sizable relief investments this offseason. The club signed Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal. Since one former New York Yankees closer wasn’t enough, the Mets also went out and grabbed Luke Weaver for two years and $22 million. The duo will handle the majority of the late-inning opportunities for the Mets. Kimbrel was unlikely to challenge them for closer duties.
Instead, Kimbrel was competing with veterans Richard Lovelady, Bryan Hudson, and Carl Edwards Jr. for the final spot in the bullpen. Lovelady was with the club last season and seems to have the inside track on a gig to open the year. The decision to have Sean Manaea pitch out of the bullpen also complicates matters. His role change pushes Tobias Myers to a middle relief role that could’ve gone to Kimbrel.
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