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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 – APRIL 08: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after the victory against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on April 8, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 08: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after the victory against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on April 8, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Lukewarm possibilities

7. White Sox (2018 staff ERA: 4.83, 26th in MLB)

Current closer: Alex Colome

2019 free-agent relief additions: Kelvin Herrera, Alex Colome

2019 free-agent relief subtractions: None

The White Sox have been active this winter in going after the big names. Both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper have been linked to northside Chicago, but the team has also been active in the bullpen, signing Kelvin Herrera and trading for Alex Colome. Kimbrel could be a great addition as the White Sox try to reverse their ugly 4.83 2018 staff ERA and form a formidable bullpen in 2019.

6. Rays (2018 staff ERA: 3.74, 6th in MLB)

Current closer: Jose Alvarado

2019 free-agent relief additions: None

2019 free-agent relief subtractions: None

The Rays have been very quiet this offseason, as expected for one of the smallest-market teams in baseball. However, if one AL East team is involved in a free agent push, there is usually another and Kimbrel is no different. The Rays prioritize their bullpen over their starters, frequently using openers and bullpen days throughout the 162-game season. While the team already has strong late-inning arms such as Ryne Stanek and Jose Alvarado, they could use a closer. The Rays may not be able to shell out the money, but Kimbrel could be interested in the flexibility and versatility of a Tampa Bay contract.

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