Craig Kimbrel will be going to spring training with the New York Mets as a nonroster invitee on a minor league deal.
According to multiple reports, including The Athletic and MLB Network, Kimbrel’s signing, if he makes the Mets’ 26-man roster, will pay him $2.5 million. Once spring training begins in two weeks, Kimbrel, the Mets, and the rest of the league will learn if the saves specialist has anything left in his pitching tank.
This off-season, the Mets prioritized rebuilding their bullpen. Gone is Edwin Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over the past six seasons, Diaz was the dominant closer in the National League, earning 144 saves. In response, the Mets courted Devin Williams from their crosstown rivals in the Bronx. Williams appeared in 67 games for the New York Yankees in 2025. His struggles culminated with 18 saves, down from the 36 he gained in 2023 with the Milwaukee Brewers. His 4.79 ERA, along with the emergence of David Bednar earning the closer spot, allowed the Yankees to part with Williams.
The Mets signed Luke Weaver, also a Yankee last season, to a two-year contract. Weaver, unlike Williams in the Bronx, performed well in high-pressure situations, earning eight saves in 64 appearances as a set up pitcher for Williams and Bednar, as well as closing. Luis Garcia, 39, who spent time with the Nationals, Angels, and Dodgers last season, is another relief arm added to the Mets’ 40-man roster. Coming to New York on a one-year contract, Garcia brings 13 years of MLB experience to the front-end of the bullpen.
Kimbrel, 37, has his work cut out for him to make the club. He ranks fifth all-time with 440 saves, and second among active pitchers to the Detroit Tigers’ Kenley Jansen (476), but what he’s done lately is what landed him in a minor league deal. In 2025, Kimbrel struggled to find his game. There were stops at the Double-A Columbus (Ga.) Clingstones and Triple-A Gwinett (Ga.) Stripers, both Atlanta Braves’ affiliates. The minor league appearances led to one game and one inning of work with the Braves before Kimbrel was designated for assignment in early June.
There was a 24-game stop with the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate Round Rock (Texas) Express, where 21 innings of work in 24 games netted Kimbrel five saves. But his 3.86 ERA at the minor league level, for Kimbrel with 16 years on MLB rosters, didn’t impress Texas officials enough to promote him to the 26-man roster. Late in the season, the Houston Astros took a chance on Kimbrel. But after a 13-game trial down the stretch that included 11 innings of work, Houston chose to part with Kimbrel.
Writing off Kimbrel would be premature. As a third-round draft pick by the Braves in June 2008, Kimbrel battled tremendous odds not only to arrive on the MLB scene, but to join the ranks of elite relievers. He has been compared to Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith, all in the Hall of Fame.
In 2024, Kimbrel’s last full MLB year, he experienced a split season as a Baltimore Oriole. The first half went well, then Kimbrel’s performance went south. In July he put up a disappointing 11.50 ERA in 19 games. By late September, with a cumulative 5.55 ERA, and at the end of his one-year, $12 million contract, the Orioles designated Kimbrel for assignment.
Now, it’s up to Justin Willard, the new Mets’ pitching coach, and Dan McKinney, assistant pitching coach, to figure out if tinkering with Kimbrel’s approach could turn him around. Once the spring training Grapefruit League schedule gets underway on Feb. 21 in Port St. Lucie, Florida, when the visiting Miami Marlins are New York’s opponent, Kimbrel’s challenge will begin. Whether he’s closing or getting middle innings assignments, it should be clear early on if the Mets will fish or cut bait with one of the greatest relievers of all-time.
After not appearing in last season’s playoffs, Mets management has been overhauling the roster. Key additions this winter are starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, center fielder Luis Robert Jr., and Bo Bichette, who is expected to move from his normal position at shortstop to third base. Kimbrel could be the diamond in the rough who becomes the talk of training camp.
