9-Time All-Star Craig Kimbrel Has Signed for 2025 in a Familiar Place

Craig Kimbrel, at the age of 36, isn't quite the same dominant closer he was in the first half of his career: He led the National League in saves four straight years while with the Atlanta Braves to start his career.

Now, he's back in the ATL. Kimbrel has signed a minor league deal to head back to the place where it all began, with the Braves.

Braves, RHP Craig Kimbrel reportedly in agreement on a Minor League contract. pic.twitter.com/p3zOTvXH2J
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 18, 2025

The deal would pay him $2 million if in the big leagues. As spring training is close to wrapping up, he's expected to work his way up to a full workload over the next few weeks, with the goal of joining the Braves' bullpen, likely before he turns 37 on May 28th.

Kimbrel established himself in five years in Atlanta as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball history. In his half-decade there, including four All-Star appearances, he registered 186 saves, a 1.43 ERA and 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings. He saved over 40 games four straight years with the Braves, and hit the 50-mark once.

The second half of his career has much more hit and miss.

He began the 2024 season as the Baltimore Orioles closer and recorded 23 saves by the All-Star Break. But it was a tumultuous descent after that, as he posted an 11.50 ERA over his next 19 appearances, and was DFA'd in September.

Kimbrel's 440 career saves entering the 2025 season are the fifth-most all-time in baseball, and places him second among active relievers behind only Kenley Jansen.

He'll have to prove that he can earn his way back into the big leagues with the Braves.