As the Orioles gear up for the postseason, they have made a big decision regarding former Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel. The 36-year-old right-hander has been designated for assignment by Baltimore, opening up a spot for minor-league pitcher Bryan Baker.
At the start of the season, the Orioles signed Kimbrel to a one-year, $13 million deal in an effort to strengthen their bullpen after losing Félix Bautista to Tommy John surgery. However, things did not go as planned, especially for Phillies fans who saw Kimbrel struggle towards the end of the season.
Despite a solid first half performance with a 2.80 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and a .150 batting average against, Kimbrel’s numbers took a nosedive after the All-Star break. In his last 18 appearances, he posted a disappointing 10.59 ERA and was being hit hard by opponents with a .306 average and a .978 OPS.
With the playoffs on the horizon, the Orioles decided not to take any chances and opted to part ways with Kimbrel. This move reflects a different strategy from the one the Phillies employed last season, ultimately leading to disappointment.
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