Blue Jays' rivals gamble on Craig Kimbrel after veteran was released by Mets

The Toronto Blue Jays had been busily carrying out various pitching transactions in recent days. Whether it be the signing of Matt Bowman to a minor-league deal, or the trade for Connor Seabold from the Detroit Tigers, the Blue Jays were looking to bolster their pitching depth after the recent depletion of their pitching staff due to injuries.

Not to be outdone, the Jays’ division rivals and AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays managed to execute an acquisition of their own as well. But it was a puzzling one as they foolishly snagged recent New York Mets castoff Craig Kimbrel by signing him to a major-league deal to boost their bullpen depth, as per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Did the Blue Jays rival Rays make the right decision with their recent acquisition?

Kimbrel is a former nine-time All-Star who once led the National League in saves on four occasions. With 17 years of service in the major leagues and a World Series ring, he brings with him a breadth of winning experience.

However, having just turned 38 years old, Kimbrel is currently a shell of his former self. In fact, he had been on the decline for pretty much the past three seasons. This season with the Mets, he had compiled a 0-2 record with a dismal 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, giving up 10 earned runs including three home runs along with 15 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched over 14 relief appearances. As a result of his disappointing performance, New York designated Kimbrel for assignment on May 22 while recalling young pitching prospect Jonah Tong to take his roster spot with the Mets. Kimbrel reliever would ultimately elect free agency after clearing waivers.

But not only that, the last time Kimbrel had pitched in the daunting AL East, it was with the Baltimore Orioles back in 2024. That year, he struggled to a 5.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, allowing 31 earned runs, seven home runs, 31 walks and 73 strikeouts in 52.1 total innings of work over 57 appearances. Kimbrel didn’t survive the entire year with the Orioles as he was also designated for assignment during the final month of the season despite the team already playoff-bound.

The Rays are looking to put some distance between themselves and the Yankees and Blue Jays. Adding a wild Kimbrel to their pitching staff at this stage of his career could turn out to be a huge gamble for Tampa Bay instead of an instant boost. But in the case for Toronto, they may now have a better shot at catching the Rays with their shaky addition to their supposedly impenetrable bullpen.

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