Who is Craig Kimbrel? What to know about the Mets’ latest bullpen addition

One of the well-known pitchers in recent MLB history, Craig Kimbrel, evokes a sense of respect within the game, but the New York Mets are bringing the veteran righty to the team as they gear up for the upcoming campaign in 2026. Having made a name for himself with his blazing fastball and unorthodox pre-pitch crouching style, the veteran closer has made a name for himself as perhaps the best in the league in terms of saves, all-star appearances, and more, but the question will remain whether the veteran has enough left in the tank for the upcoming campaign to make an impact when the games are all said and done.

Craig Kimbrel’s career and what he brings to the table for Mets

Craig Michael Kimbrel has had a successful career in Major League Baseball since his inception into the league in 2010 with the Atlanta Braves. He managed to create his mark in the league by winning the Rookie of the Year award in the National League as well as setting records in saves. He has brought more attention to his career by his ability to close out games, having nine All-Stars under his belt with 440 career saves, which puts him at the top.

Despite having such an impressive resume, the last few years have been spent moving around teams as he tries to regain the kind of dominance he reached at the pinnacle of his career. His recent output in 2025 sees him at a nice ERA of 2.25 in a total of 14 games split across the Braves and Astros rosters. It is evident he still has the capability of retiring hitters, as the years of service in critical moments of games will surely guarantee him a spot on the team.

What the Mets hope for in 2026

The Mets offered Kimbrel a minor league deal that comes with an invitation to spring training, thus giving him an opportunity to contribute to the major league team. As a result, the pitcher stands a chance to earn a guaranteed pay of 2.5 million dollars if he makes it to the major league team. The recent loss of closer Edwin Diaz in the past offseason has provided room for other experienced bullpen players, such as Kimbrel, to contribute to the team.

Kimbrel, for example, is nostalgic for many teams’ fan bases. Kimbrel is no longer quite the lights-out closer that he used to be, but his strong strikeout capacity and competitive track record remain assets that, when he is able to utilize his abilities, could definitely give him an additional chapter to an already long and storied professional resume.


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