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Red Sox Free Agency: Possible landing spots for Craig Kimbrel

By Patrick English

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pumps his fist after the last out of the ninth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 in Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pumps his fist after the last out of the ninth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 in Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 12: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Fenway Park on September 12, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The biggest relief name, Craig Kimbrel, is still on the board in late January. The Red Sox are the favorites, but watch out for the Braves and Phillies.

While Dave Dombrowski has been quiet about his bullpen plans, the Boston Red Sox have passed on many relievers this offseason.  Adam Ottavino, Jeurys Familia, Joakim Soria, and David Robertson are all off the board.

Last year’s closer, Craig Kimbrel, is still available but Dombrowski recently said he doesn’t expect to make a high expenditure at the closer position. Boston’s projected payroll currently puts them below the steepest luxury tax penalties that would trigger if they exceed $246 million. It would be difficult to stay below that threshold if they re-sign Kimbrel. After he declined the $17.9 million qualifying offer, the truth is that Kimbrel will not come cheap.

Given those numbers and Kimbrel’s high original asking price of 6-years and $100 million, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the team will sign the coveted closer.

However, the current market could also dictate a lower price than Kimbrel is asking, and most of the player’s suitors have already signed at least one reliever this offseason.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the possible landing spots for Kimbrel.

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