Craig Kimbrel signed with the Chicago Cubs during the season to help them win another ring, but he has done everything but that including a trip to the IL.
Craig Kimbrel was one of the most coveted arms this past offseason, but he thought he could be paid more than his suitors believed, so he remained unemployed going into the 2019 season. The Chicago Cubs finally pulled the trigger and he was in a Chicago uniform wearing the number 24.
When Kimbrel signed, it seemed as if they might have the best bullpen in the league. Pedro Strop was pitching well, and the rest of the bullpen wasn’t struggling very much.
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But once Kimbrel took the mound for the first time at home this year, the bullpen’s whole dynamic changed.
Joe Maddon seemed to be relying on Kimbrel too much to close out games. One recent example of that was when Chicago traveled to Williamsport to play the Pirates and with a lead in the bottom of the 9th. 25 pitches into the last of the ninth inning, Kimbrel was taken out of the game by Maddon, as Strop had to relive him to get the final out.
Kimbrel is a big reason why the Cubs have struggled on the road this season. He hasn’t pitched well away from the friendly confines, as opposing hitters are hitting .324 off of him in comparison to hitting just .162 at home.
With a 5.68 ERA, Craig Kimbrel was placed on the Injured List with right elbow inflammation and is expected to return Thursday vs the Padres in San Diego.
With all of this said, I believe he has been a bust. He was brought in by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer to pitch in big moments like October and hold down the back of the bullpen, but he simply has not done that.
I understand he has the rest of the season to prove himself to Chicago Cubs fans, and then at least two more seasons under his current contract with a 2022 team option, but right now he has been a bust because he has not performed anywhere near expectations.