- BREAKING: Philadelphia Phillies Missing Out on Re-Signing Reliever Is Best Case Scenario
In a surprising but potentially beneficial turn of events, the Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly not re-signing veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel, a decision that may actually serve the team better in the long run.
Kimbrel, who signed a one-year deal with the Phillies for the 2023 season, had an up-and-down year in the bullpen. While he showed flashes of his former All-Star form, inconsistency plagued him late in the season and especially during the postseason, where his struggles contributed to the team’s collapse in the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His 6.00 ERA in the playoffs and inability to command the strike zone in high-leverage moments raised serious questions about his reliability moving forward.
The Phillies’ decision to move on signals a shift in bullpen philosophy—prioritizing youth, flexibility, and consistency over experience and past accolades. With emerging arms like Orion Kerkering and José Alvarado showing promise, Philadelphia can now invest in building a more dynamic and resilient bullpen. Additionally, letting Kimbrel walk frees up salary space that can be used to pursue younger, more durable relief options in free agency or to bolster other roster needs, such as bench depth or starting pitching insurance.
It’s also worth noting that Kimbrel, though a future Hall of Fame candidate, has shown signs of regression over the past few seasons. His velocity has dipped slightly, and his walk rate has ticked up. For a team with championship aspirations, continuing to rely on an aging closer with command issues might’ve been a recipe for more October heartbreak.
In short, while losing a name like Kimbrel might seem like a step back on paper, the Phillies are wisely choosing potential over nostalgia. With President of Baseball Operations Dave D
