Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel awaits his next stop with the Boston Red Sox likely passing due to budget constraints. Pictured: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images/Sean M. Haffey

Craig Kimbrel, another top free agent available in the market, is waiting for his next stop. The Boston Red Sox could consider re-signing him for one-year, but it seems that team president Dave Dombrowski is not open to it.

According to CBS Sports, the Red Sox top brass said that their closer for the 2019 MLB season will most likely be “internal.” This goes in line with his previous statement that Boston is not planning to spend big on a closer.

Considering that Kimbrel is a future Hall of Famer, there are people who are unhappy with the direction of the Red Sox. But if the direction of the Red Sox is to lock up their younger future stars, this could be the perfect time to start.

In the case of 30-year-old Kimbrel, it would be best to look at his performance last MLB season. He had a 2.74 ERA while converting on 42 of 47 saves in 2018. Although he had a shaky season, he still converted on all his saves. Would these be numbers be enough to merit reconsideration with Boston?

At least one person feels that Kimbrel deserves better. Chris Sale, a former teammate, is not too happy about the way things are going and brands it crazy to see Kimbrel still being a free agent.

It would be best to note that the Red Sox did offer Kimbrel a one-year qualifying offer worth $17.9 million back in November which he unsurprisingly rejected. Now, however, the scenario becomes a bit different with him still unable to find a suitable team to play for. Will he revisit that and consider another offer?

Seeing how Dombrowski made it clear that they are not willing to spend big, the numbers on another one-year offer could be the same, if not lower. The Red Sox team president made it clear when he said that they don’t intend to have a big expenditure – making it a “take it, or leave it” scenario for Kimbrel, the Boston Herald reported.

With no team willing to offer him a $100 million deal, Kimbrel finds himself in a bit of a hole. However, the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and the Philadelphia Phillies were linked to the 30-year-old pitcher, options which have yet to gain any ground.

RELATED STORIES
Major league baseball