KANSAS CITY -- The Royals have finalized a Major League deal with veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel, and he was activated and available in their bullpen for Monday night's series opener against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Right-hander Easton McGee was optioned to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.
Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Rays shortly after the Trade Deadline and, a few days after clearing waivers, elected free agency. That allowed the Royals to sign him and have him join a bullpen that has struggled this year but is currently trying out a variety of new faces and could use some experience.
And Kimbrel brings a lot of experience. One of the best closers in history, Kimbrel’s 440 career saves ranks fifth on the all-time saves list, and he has a 2.67 ERA with 1,314 strikeouts in 884 appearances across his 17 seasons. He’s a nine-time All-Star, a 2018 World Series champion and the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award winner, and he won both the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year (2014) as well as the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year (2017) honors.
"He's going to pitch in different roles," said manager Matt Quatraro of Kimbrel's spot in the bullpen. "Could be early, could be late, depending on who's available. But his presence, his accountability, all the things that have made him great over the years to help rub off on some of the young guys as we continue to build.”
Now 38 years old, Kimbrel has bounced around different teams the past few years, and the Royals will be the 12th team he suits up for in his career. Since 2024, he has a 4.78 ERA across 104 appearances for four different teams.
“I still enjoy competing," said Kimbrel. "I feel like I can go out there and still compete with the best of them. And I’ll enjoy this opportunity to do so, and hopefully I can go out there and do that.”
The well-traveled veteran has seen a lot over the years, and he's enjoyed the experience.
“It's been fun, actually," Kimbrel said. "Getting to know the game in a little different light. Getting to talk to guys who are on their way up. Spent a lot of time in Triple-A last year. Getting to see the game through that lens. Getting to talk to guys and meet guys at that level. This year, jumping around, going from team to team. Like I said earlier, I think I might be wearing a different uniform representing a different city, but when we show up in the clubhouse, the goal is the same. It's to try to win that ballgame. That's what I'm here to do.”
Kimbrel started this year with the Mets on a Minor League deal and was added to their roster in April, lasting six weeks and allowing 12 runs (10 earned) in 16 innings before they designated him for assignment. He elected free agency and landed with Tampa Bay, where he posted a 3.86 ERA in 18 2/3 innings. One appearance was against the Royals, when Carter Jensen took him deep in the ninth inning to break up a combined no-hitter on June 25.
Kimbrel’s strikeout rate is down to a 22.2% clip this year -- at his best, he hovered around a 40% K rate -- while his walk rate is 11.1%. He is obviously not as dominant as he was as the closer he was a decade ago, but he can still be effective and get outs.
And the Royals were willing to take a chance at this point in the season with his experience and their need for depth arms. Kansas City’s bullpen ERA entering Saturday was 5.32, which ranked second-worst in MLB behind the A’s (5.70). And the Royals just moved one of their best relievers, Daniel Lynch IV, to the rotation to give him an opportunity to start again with a need arising there.
As for what he might be able to bring to the Royals' young pitching staff, Kimbrel offered up some perspective.
“I think just to show up and do my everyday routine, show the guys what's worked for me and have those conversations," he said. "Everyone at the big league level has the stuff to be really good and put together some good years. Sometimes it just takes an idea or a mindset or a routine to get used to and get comfortable in. Sometimes just reminding the guys that that's the overall goal. They'll get wrapped up in the outcome. If you're preparing the right way, outcomes will come. Especially with the younger guys, just keeping their minds focused on that. You can control what you do to get ready for the game. You can't always control what happens in the game. Just remembering that.”
The Royals have been trying out a variety of new arms in the ‘pen, including McGee, Nate Pearson and Jose Cuas, and they have several new relievers in Triple-A Omaha who could get opportunities in the big leagues down the stretch, including Carlos Duran (acquired via trade with the Dodgers), Nolan Hoffman (claimed off waivers), Connor Thomas (claimed off waivers) and Luke Little (claimed off waivers).