{"id":145213,"date":"2026-01-26T00:12:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T00:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=145213"},"modified":"2026-01-26T00:12:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T00:12:34","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-career-twist-confirmed-former-braves-closer-craig-kimbrel-has-reportedly-found-his-landing-spot-for-2026-a-move-few-saw-coming-at-this-stage-of-his-career-after-years-of-pressure-momen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=145213","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 CAREER TWIST CONFIRMED: Former Braves closer Craig Kimbrel has reportedly found his landing spot for 2026, a move few saw coming at this stage of his career. After years of pressure moments and shifting roles, this decision is being framed as a calculated reset rather than a quiet fade away."},"content":{"rendered":"

A familiar name from one of the most dominant bullpen eras in recent MLB history has found another opportunity to continue his career.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Former Atlanta Braves All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel<\/span><\/span> has secured a landing spot for the 2026 season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It may not come with guarantees.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But it does come with a chance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

\n

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman<\/span><\/span>, Kimbrel has signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets<\/span><\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training, allowing Kimbrel to compete for a bullpen role.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the very least, it ensures he remains part of a major league organization heading into 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

For some around the league, this signing raises a familiar question.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have we already seen the last meaningful chapter of Craig Kimbrel\u2019s major league career.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That question has been asked repeatedly over the last several seasons.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And yet, Kimbrel keeps finding a way to stay employed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

As recently as last year, the Atlanta Braves<\/span><\/span> themselves explored whether a reunion could work.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a reunion rooted in history rather than certainty.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Braves know Kimbrel better than any organization in baseball.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Kimbrel re-signed with Atlanta toward the end of Spring Training.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The plan was cautious and deliberate.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He would rebuild his arm strength away from the spotlight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

He began the season in Double-A and later moved up to Triple-A.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The results, at least initially, were encouraging.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After tossing three scoreless innings with Columbus, Kimbrel was promoted to Gwinnett.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

In 15 appearances with Gwinnett, he posted a 2.45 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those numbers suggested he still had something left in the tank.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The velocity was not what it once was.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But the competitiveness remained.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Kimbrel<\/p>\n

\n

Despite that progress, everything ultimately led to just one major league appearance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And it did not come in Atlanta.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Kimbrel\u2019s lone outing with the Braves came in San Francisco.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He pitched one scoreless inning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He allowed a hit.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He issued a walk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He struck out one batter.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

It was not a clean inning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It required improvisation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It required experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It required survival.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

The very next day, the Braves designated him for assignment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a swift and somewhat sobering decision.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Soon after, Kimbrel found himself on the move again.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

He elected free agency.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Texas Rangers<\/span><\/span> signed him to a minor league deal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That stint lasted two months.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Then came another release.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

The journey did not end there.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Houston Astros<\/span><\/span> offered Kimbrel another chance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This time, the opportunity extended to the major leagues.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

In 13 appearances with Houston, Kimbrel posted a 2.45 ERA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the surface, the results looked promising.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dig deeper, however, and familiar concerns emerged.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

His WHIP sat at 1.34.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Baserunners continued to be an issue.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Traffic on the bases has been a recurring theme in the latter stages of his career.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Still, the Mets saw enough to warrant a look.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They are now taking on the task of determining whether Kimbrel can help round out their bullpen.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

In doing so, New York adds another layer of uncertainty to a relief corps that has already undergone significant change.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kimbrel joins a bullpen that already includes former Braves reliever A.J. Minter<\/span><\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Minter signed with the Mets in free agency ahead of the 2025 season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

The Mets\u2019 bullpen has been reshaped dramatically over the last year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Edwin D\u00edaz<\/span><\/span> is gone.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Devin Williams<\/span><\/span> is in.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luke Weaver<\/span><\/span> arrived.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tyler Rogers<\/span><\/span> departed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Kimbrel enters this mix without a guaranteed role.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no promise of a major league roster spot.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no assurance he will pitch meaningful innings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

At best, he could earn a bullpen role.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At worst, he could begin the season in Syracuse.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Either way, the opportunity exists.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

That opportunity is remarkable when viewed through the lens of Kimbrel\u2019s career arc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

During his first stint with the Braves, he was arguably the most dominant closer in baseball.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Over five seasons in Atlanta, Kimbrel posted a staggering 1.43 ERA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He recorded 186 saves.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He led the National League in saves four consecutive years.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

In 2011, he was named National League Rookie of the Year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

His fastball-slider combination overwhelmed hitters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

His presence shortened games.<\/strong><\/p>\n

His entrance alone shifted momentum.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

For several years beyond Atlanta, Kimbrel remained among the league\u2019s elite closers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But beginning around 2019, inconsistency began to define his results.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Velocity dipped.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Command wavered.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Margins narrowed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Since then, his career has evolved into a series of short-term opportunities.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Minor league deals.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spring Training invites.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Low-risk bets by teams seeking bullpen depth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

\n

Each stop carries the same underlying question.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is there enough left for Craig Kimbrel to matter.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

The Mets are not asking him to be what he once was.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They are not asking for 40 saves.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They are not asking for dominance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

They are asking for usefulness.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For stability.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For experience in a bullpen that will be tested over a long season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

There are zero guarantees that Kimbrel sees major league action in 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But there is a pathway.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And for a pitcher who has repeatedly been counted out, that pathway matters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

When Kimbrel eventually does step away from the game, his legacy is secure.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Few relievers in modern baseball history have matched his peak.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Few have altered games as dramatically in their prime.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

What remains now is not about legacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is about persistence.<\/strong><\/p>\n

About competing for one more chance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Whether that chance comes in New York, Syracuse, or not at all remains to be seen.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But once again, Craig Kimbrel has found a place to keep his career alive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And until the door fully closes, he continues to push it open.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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