Boston Red Sox: Craig Kimbrel and the $100 million contract
By David Hill
A free agent after this season, Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel may end up being baseball’s first $100 million reliever.
It is not a secret that relief pitchers are becoming a hot commodity these days. Wade Davis has recently signed a three year contract worth $52 million, and Aroldis Chapman had singed a five year, $86 million contract just last year. Even middle relievers and setup men are getting astronomical salaries, as bullpens are being considered vital for success.
At this point, it seems to be a matter of time until a reliever passes that $100 million threshold. If a closer is to do that, it may end up being current Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the 2018 campaign.
It is safe to say that Kimbrel has dominated throughout his career. Over his eight year career, Kimbrel has notched 291 saves to go along with a 1.80 ERA and a 0.910 WHiP. In his 470.1 lifetime innings, Kimbrel has struck out 772 batters, giving him an incredible 14.8 K/9 mark. Kimbrel has been a six time All Star, leading the league in saves four times.
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After a rough 2016 campaign, Kimbrel bounced back in a major way last season. In what may have been his most dominant performance, he notched 35 saves, posting a 1.43 ERA and a 0.681 WHiP. In his 69 innings, Kimbrel issued only 14 walks while striking out 126 batters. Should he replicate that performance, Kimbrel should be in line for a large payday.
However, he will have a good deal of competition. Closers like Zach Britton and Kelvin Herrera, along with dynamic reliever Andrew Miller, are set to be free agents after the 2018 campaign. That list of options could keep Kimbrel from receiving that large of a paycheck.
Yet, the same thought could have been had during the 2016 offseason. Along with Chapman, Mike Melancon and Kenley Jansen were free agents. Although he was coming off of Tommy John surgery, Greg Holland was available. And yet, Chapman was able to land the largest contract for a closer to that point. Even with the competition that Kimbrel will face next year, he could easily surpass Chapman if he continues his dominance.
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Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel may be a season away from cashing in. The demand for top notch closers is going to continue to increase, making a pitcher like Kimbrel a hot commodity when he becomes a free agent.