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3. Phillies (2018 staff ERA: 4.14, 18th in MLB)
2019 free-agent relief additions: David Robertson
2019 free-agent relief subtractions: Luis Avilan
The Phillies have been one of the Red Sox’s main challengers for Kimbrel throughout the offseason and have been linked with nearly every free agent reliever. However, the team is still focusing on singing one or both of Harper and Machado, so Kimbrel is not their top priority, especially after signing Robertson. However, if they lose out to the Dodgers and White Sox, Kimbrel could make sense to sure up the Philadelphia bullpen in 2019.
2. Braves (2018 staff ERA: 3.75, 7th in MLB)
2019 free-agent relief additions: None
2019 free-agent relief subtractions: None
After becoming baseball’s most surprise division champion in 2018, the Braves added Josh Donaldson and Brian McCann to an already potent lineup. The addition of a closer that started his career in Atlanta would make a lot of sense, pushing Arodys Vizcaino to the setup role. The Braves are rumored to be more focused on the outfield and their rotation, and with players from Carlos Gonzalez to Dallas Keuchel still on the board, there is a lot of work to be done in those positions. However, if the team strikes out or doesn’t find a fit at either of those roles, Kimbrel could make a lot of sense.
1. Red Sox (2018 staff ERA: 3.75, 8th in MLB)
2019 free-agent relief additions: None
2019 free-agent relief subtractions: Joe Kelly
The Red Sox have been very quiet this offseason, only signing Nathan Eovaldi, Steve Pearce, and Gorkys Hernandez. Their proximity to the $246 million luxury tax threshold means they would be careful in signing Kimbrel to a deal worth more than the $17.9 million qualifying offer that he rejected in November. However, the closer is much more proven in the 9th inning than Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, and Steven Wright. Utilizing any three of those options would be a gamble and the team has to decide which of two options makes the most sense.
The Sox remain the favorites to sign Kimbrel because a closer is really their only need left going into 2019. The Braves are looking at outfielders and starting pitchers, while the Phillies are in search of Machado and Harper. Out of the three, the Red Sox are probably the only team that has just one signing left to round out their offseason.