March 23: Kimbrel will forgo his first opt-out opportunity and remain with the Mets for the time being, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
March 22: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told the media (including SNY TV) that veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel was told that he won’t be breaking camp with the team. An Article XX(B) free agent, Kimbrel had the chance to trigger the first of three opt-out dates in his minor league contract this weekend, and Mendoza’s comments seemingly indicate that the right-hander hasn’t exercised an out clause, as Kimbrel is considering staying in the organization.
“Now he is deciding whether he wants to stay, which looks like he’s leaning that way,” Mendoza said. “He likes it here, he wants to win, but he also is going to look around for opportunities. But there’s a good chance he stays back here in Florida, to continue to pitch and [wait] until the opportunity presents.”
Kimbrel has a 4.50 ERA over six Grapefruit League innings for the Mets, with five walks and five strikeouts. It wasn’t the kind of performance that would help what was already something of a longshot bid to make New York’s roster, and it could be that Kimbrel is fine pitching in the minors for now. Given how the Mets cycled through an endless amount of relievers last season, Kimbrel may figure it won’t be too long before he is needed in Queens, even if his call-up would come with the added wrinkle of a contract selection to the 40-man roster.
Making the Mets’ roster would also guarantee a $2.5MM salary for Kimbrel, and since New York is over the highest level of luxury tax penalization, the Mets would pay more than double that amount in additional taxes. While money isn’t exactly a top concern for the big-spending Mets, it isn’t absolutely no concern, and the front office may feel a reliever on a minimum salary is a better investment both financially and results-wise than what Kimbrel can offer at age 37.
Kimbrel has been bouncing around the league for the last few years, showing some flashes of his old All-Star form but without much consistency. In 2025, Kimbrel had a 2.25 ERA and a 34.7% strikeout rate over 12 innings with the Braves and Astros, but with a hefty 14.3% walk rate as well. Control has been an issue for Kimbrel even during his prime years, and he has also been hurt by an increased tendency to allow home runs.
There could still be a market elsewhere for Kimbrel’s services, if another team feels he still has something in the rank. Mendoza noted that playing for a contender seems to be a priority for Kimbrel, so he might not want to sign with just any team if he does re-enter the open market.
Supposedly has better movement on his pitches thus far but averaging under 93 mph on his fastball. Has walked 5 and hit 2 more. Not sure what he has left but wish him the best.
I’m guessing he didn’t opt out because his agent told him no one else was interested.
NY Mets Shea: Walked five in how many innings?
I love the take of the….”baseball expert”….who wrote the article and mentioned Kimbrel’s “hefty” walk rate. Over 12 innings!
Has anyone ever heard of sampling error?
Besides, walks are a contextual stat, not a raw-numbers stat. Their importance has been vastly overrated by statisticians who don’t know what they’re talking about, and by writers and commentators who know even much less about what they’re talking about than the statisticians do.
Dirty Craig has fallen off a cliff. I wonder if he still makes the HOF eventually?
Funniest comment ever
Let It Be: You are correct. It is as meaningless as the self-named, for-profit, joke of a museum called The Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame, that enshrines people for having successfully pushed assigned agendas, not for talent.
I’m glad I won’t have to watch him.
Another supposed baseball fan who seems to hate baseball players
So weird.
Don’t hate players, just wasted roster spots. What’s weird is you worry about what I like or don’t like, seems petty.
Well you took the time to comment on a site where we go back and forth on opinions and thoughts. So if you make a comment expect a reply
Sammy: Remember, these days, *ANY* logical, critical analysis, or expression of a reasonable opinion, is………….Hate.
It’s sad watching great players struggle in their final few years in baseball
Yeah, he was an utter beast. When my Padres traded for him this is what he had done in his first 4.33 seasons with the Braves:
1.43 era / 1.52 FIP
289 IP
.152/.240/.208
476 k’s (42.2%)
Would have to dive in to the other elites but wouldn’t be surprised if that was the most dominant 4 year stretch ever from a reliever. He finished in the top 9 in CY during each season as well.
Find the nearest hook and hang ‘em up
It’s statistically likely that he’s better at baseball right now than you are at whatever you do.
Juan: What is the statistical model that you’re using for this….?
Readon
Kimbrel might not be good enough for MLB anymore, but that he’s close still means he’s in the upper echelon of baseball players in the world.
Your average MLBTR commenter is not in the upper echelon of their fields
*reason
I hope he sticks around, and re-learns how to pitch with what he’s got left.
Never a big fan – hes kind of a relic in terms of pure closer, teams have really started leaning away from that. For that I hope to see him continue on, a great stretch from 2011-2018 closing out games
The teams that have tried to lean away from having a closer seem to regret it. Few seem to do well in the playoffs. Sure, some closers fail during those series, but the teams wouldn’t be there without them.
Relic? When he was on, he was unhittable. That’s the pure definition of a closer. Not sure what you meant exactly.
True closers are fading from the game. Not quite yet to the level of the NFL fullback but a lot of teams deploy closer by committee. Kimbrel, being an elder statesman, is one remaining who was once that pure closer.
Tales from the crypt.
I wouldnt be mad if Dbacks picked him up.
Dbacks have at least two closers who throw 97-100 and an all-star starter coming in at the halfway make or thereabouts, they don’t need Kimber or anyone else
Oh yes. Im sure the D-Backs go the entire season injury free
The tank looks empty. I don’t blame him for trying to stick around. It’s not easy to say you’re done. You are usually the last to know. Hope he does well. There is a spot in my heart for older ball players.
Pop quiz time: no cheating.
How many career major league at bats does Kimbrel have?
0?
The correct answer is not my second or third guess
2 ABs, both ending in strikeouts.
Good, we can all relax now.
So instead we get one of Lovelady or Hudson…?
Not sure why everyone is so negative with Kimbrel buying more time to see what he has left.
If he blocked Lambert or Ross that’s one thing but instead of Lovelady…?
Smelly Craig is opting to stay with Stale Khaki Mets… this is bound to be good. Add in a little garlic, a 94mph fastball, some mustard and baby you got a stew going!
Last year the Mets used 46 pitchers which is not atypical of every other team these days. 30 pitched 10 innings or more, 22 pitched 20 innings or more and 15 pitched over 30 innings. Kimbrel is not going to take innings away from anyone, there’s more than enough to go around. So it’s perfectly fine that he sticks around.
30 saves til 500. Kenley Jansen only needs 24 saves to get to 500 and only 2 away from Lee Smith.
Honestly, Kimbrel’s tank has appeared empty for the last couple of seasons. But in 2026, can he be a game changer? A player who can help push an ordinary club into contention?
I wouldn’t say he can be a game changer, or even push a team into contention. But I do think he can be a useful bullpen piece for a major league team.
I agree. He can be a very useful piece…but without options, once he’s up, he has to stay up. Or risk going through the waiver DFA cycle.
Lovelady is just an odd stat at this point. Hudson will likely be the choice though he shouldn’t be either.
I don’t get decisions where GMs put guys on the roster to take up space, and you hope they never use them.
Short term, they could use Christian Scott.