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5 teams that should sign Craig Kimbrel

By Dylan Schmittler

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the ninth inning of game four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 27, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the ninth inning of game four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 27, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 28: Third base coach Tony Diaz #46 of the Minnesota Twins congratulates Eddie Rosario #20 on a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning of the interleague game on May 28, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Brewers 5-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 28: Third base coach Tony Diaz #46 of the Minnesota Twins congratulates Eddie Rosario #20 on a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning of the interleague game on May 28, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Brewers 5-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Twins

Coming into 2019, the Minnesota Twins did not look like the AL Central’s front-running team. Minnesota struggled to an 78-84 season, which cost Paul Molitor his manager job. Through Monday’s action, the Twins had an MLB-best 37-17 record under rookie manager Rocco Baldelli.

Minnesota’s offense has hammered out 105 home runs. Even though Jake Odorizzi and Jose Berrios have shut down opposing offenses, The Twins have not had a consistent closer to get the last three outs.

Blake Parker, Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger and Mike Morin have all picked up saves out of Minnesota’s bullpen. On Tuesday night, Ryne Harper saved a Twins win. Together, the relievers have accounted for 15 saves. Minnesota’s bullpen has pitched to a 4.10 ERA while throwing an AL-low 165.1 innings.

With Minnesota’s bats and strong starting pitching, a dominant bullpen may not be necessary to win its division.

The postseason is where relievers are often needed early in playoff games, where big arms will be tasked to get big out. Without a reliable bullpen, Baldelli may not have faith in the bullpen and could leave his starters in deeper in games, which may result in fatigue pitches.

Kimbrel’s 19 postseason appearances could prove vital for a team without much playoff experience, and could give Minnesota a dominant reliever to get the last three outs of any playoff game.

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