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The Twins Should Sign Closer Craig Kimbrel

By Michael Crow

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after retiring the side in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after retiring the side in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

In a season where the Minnesota Twins are proving to be contenders, they should be aggressive and splurge on Craig Kimbrel. Twins pitching has been impressive to start the year so it may not seem to be the obvious best move to make a playoff run. However, the Twins may have very good relief pitchers in Ryne Harper, Blaker Parker, and Taylor Rogers but should one of them get injured the Twins become very thin in the bullpen.

The Twins Should Sign Craig Kimbrel

Kimbrel wouldn’t be a depth signing, he would immediately add to the bullpen the skills of one of the top closers in major league baseball in recent years. While the traditional role of a closer isn’t quite what it used to be, it’s very important in playoff baseball. When the Twins make the playoffs and are yet again facing the Yankees, it will be essential to be able to shut down their big hitters.

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The questions are the cost of signing Kimbrel and how soon can he hit the mound with the Twins if they were to sign him. Kimbrel is sitting out the season at this point due to his demand for a massive contract. Reports are that Kimbrel is demanding a five-year $100 million contract. So far teams have remained weary of signing the 31 year-old relief pitcher to a contract that large.  Spotac.com  estimate his value at $16.5 million per season, much lower than he’s demanding. So will the Twins want to spend between $15 Million & $20 Million per season for five years? Will Kimbrel accept a shorter contract for less money?  In any case there is no doubt he can help the team.

If signed it would likely take a couple of weeks for Kimbrel to get up to speed in a minor league assignment. The advantage is that he would be a fresh arm in the pen so perhaps the Twins could lean on him more later in the season and the playoffs. On the other hand, nobody knows how he’s been maintaining his arm while sitting out. Kimbrel could be 2019’s Rick Aguilera , the guy that you can count on to close out a big time win.

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