Grading the Phillies 4 biggest offseason moves so far

4) The Phillies are taking a smart one-year gamble on Craig Kimbrel

What do the Phillies have to lose other than $10 million and a lot of games late? Craig Kimbrel’s best days are well in the past and the Fightins know this. Nonetheless, they decided he was worth a one-year deal to see what he can offer.

Kimbrel has had both awful and very good seasons recently. Last year’s performance with the Los Angeles Dodgers was probably worse than the numbers look. At 6-7 with a 3.75 ERA and 22 saves, it’s not what Los Angeles signed up for when they traded AJ Pollock to the Chicago White Sox for him.

Kimbrel was, however, very good for the Chicago Cubs in the first part of the 2021 season. He was an All-Star who happened to completely fall apart after he was traded to the White Sox. By signing him, the Phillies are reaching into a grab bag without knowing what they will yank out.

The team does have the option of using him in the ninth inning or continuing with Seranthony Dominguez in that role or seeing what Kimbrel has left. We know, at the very least, not much can intimidate Kimbrel.

The closer for the Red Sox team that won the 2018 World Series under Dombrowski, this was the kind of reunion we should have expected. It may crash and burn or turn into a difference-making addition. It’s well worth the risk and that’s what is most important for this Phillies team.

Craig Kimbrel signing grade: B-