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Royals Land Kimbrel: KC Bullpen Just Got Terrifying
Royals Sign Veteran Pitcher Craig Kimbrel: What You Need to Know
The Big News in Simple Terms
The Kansas City Royals have added a famous baseball player named Craig Kimbrel to their team. Think of it like your school basketball team asking a retired NBA star to come play for them — except this star has played for eleven other teams before this one!
Who Is Craig Kimbrel?
Important Point: Craig Kimbrel is one of the best relief pitchers in baseball history. A "relief pitcher" is someone who comes into the game later to help finish it — like a superhero showing up for the final battle.
- Age: 38 years old (that’s old for baseball!)
- Career Saves: 440 — that’s the 5th most in history
- All-Star: Made the All-Star team as recently as 2023
- Teams: This will be his 12th different team in 17 seasons
His Wild 2025 Season (So Far)
Kimbrel has had a busy year — he’s already been on three teams since January!
The Journey:
- New York Mets — Signed a minor league deal in winter, called up in April, let go in May
- Tampa Bay Rays — Picked him up quickly, but let him go last weekend
- Kansas City Royals — Current team (signed to a Major League contract)
His Stats This Year:
| Stat | Number | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | 4.81 | Runs allowed per 9 innings (higher = worse) |
| Walk Rate | 11.1% | How often he lets batters walk to first base |
| Strikeout Rate | 22.2% | How often he strikes batters out (lowest of his career) |
Important Point: His strikeout rate (22.2%) is on pace to be the worst of his entire 17-year career. In his prime, he struck out way more batters!
Why Did the Royals Sign Him?
The Royals’ Problem:
- They have one of the worst bullpens in baseball
- Their relief pitchers have struggled to get outs late in games
The Royals’ Thinking:
- Low Cost — They only pay a tiny portion of his salary (mostly the Mets’ responsibility)
- Low Risk — If he doesn’t work out, they can let him go easily
- Potential Upside — Maybe he still has "some magic left" at age 38
- Innings Eater — He can pitch some innings so younger pitchers don’t have to
The Money Side (Simplified)
- Total 2026 Salary: $2.5 million
- Who Pays Most: The New York Mets (they’re still on the hook!)
- Royals Pay: Only a prorated minimum salary for the days he’s actually on their roster
- Rays Paid: Same deal — just minimum salary for his time there
Important Point: This is basically a "free look" for the Royals. They get a famous pitcher for almost no money!
What Happens Next?
Step-by-Step:
- Kimbrel puts on a Royals uniform
- He appears in his first game for Kansas City
- The Royals officially become his 12th MLB team
- Coaches see if he can still get batters out
- If he helps — great! If not — they move on with minimal loss
Summary
The Royals took a low-cost gamble on a future Hall of Fame reliever who’s struggling right now. Kimbrel has been amazing in the past (440 saves! 5th all-time!), but at 38, his skills have faded. The Royals have a terrible bullpen and almost nothing to lose. If he finds his old form — even a little — it’s a huge win. If not, they’re barely out any money. It’s a classic "nothing to lose" move!
FAQ
What is a "relief pitcher" anyway?
A relief pitcher (or "reliever") comes into the game after the starting pitcher gets tired or struggles. They usually pitch 1-2 innings max. Think of them as the "cleanup crew" for the end of the game.
What does "ERA" mean?
Earned Run Average — it tells you how many runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings. Lower is better. Kimbrel’s 4.81 this year isn’t great (under 3.00 is excellent, under 4.00 is good).
What’s a "save" in baseball?
A save happens when a relief pitcher finishes a game their team is winning by 3 runs or less, and they don’t blow the lead. It’s the main stat for closers (end-of-game pitchers). 440 saves is elite territory.
Why has Kimbrel been on so many teams?
Great question! As players get older and more expensive, teams often trade them or let them go. Kimbrel has been really good for a long time, but lately he’s struggled, so teams sign him cheap hoping he bounces back.
What does "designated for assignment (DFA)" mean?
It’s a confusing baseball rule! Basically: The team removes the player from their 40-man roster. They have 7 days to trade him, release him, or send him to the minors (if he clears waivers). Kimbrel has been DFA’d twice this year alone — that’s why he’s on his third team!
Article based on reporting from Jon Heyman (New York Post) and MLB transaction data.
