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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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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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Longshots

10. Cubs (2018 staff ERA: 3.65, 3rd in MLB)

Current closer: Brandon Morrow

2019 free-agent relief additions: None

2019 free-agent relief subtractions: Jesse Chavez

Chicago has several late-inning options in Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr. Pedro Strop and the injured Brandon Morrow. However, their bullpen lacks a true closer and as a big market club, they have a lot of money at their disposal. Kimbrel could fit in nicely as the leader in Chicago.

9. Cardinals (2018 staff ERA: 3.85, 12th in MLB)

Current closer: Jordan Hicks

2019 free-agent relief additions: Andrew Miller

2019 free-agent relief subtractions: None

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After narrowly missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season, the Cardinals traded for Paul Goldschmidt. St. Louis also made a big free agent relief splash when they signed Andrew Miller early this offseason, and seem to be all-in for 2019. Kimbrel could be a great addition as they try to contend for the title in the National League Central, which could be the 2019 season’s most wide-open division.

8. Rockies (2018 staff ERA: 4.33, 20th in MLB)

2019 free-agent relief additions: None

2019 free-agent relief subtractions: Adam Ottavino

As a product of playing in Coors Field and relievers avoiding the stadium at the risk of jeopardizing their career, the Rockies often have trouble filling out their bullpen. They have already lost out on Adam Ottavino, whose 2.0 Fangraphs WAR in 2018 ranked higher than any other free agent reliever. Closer Wade Davis may have led the National League with 43 saves last season, but his 4.13 ERA pales in comparison to Kimbrel’s 2.74 mark in 2018.

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