AL contenders release former Dodgers and Red Sox closers as part of major restructuring

The Baltimore Orioles nominated experienced closer Craig Kimbrel for a new position on Wednesday as part of a major restructuring of the American League contenders.

Baltimore, which has been losing ground to the New York Yankees in the AL East since the All-Star break, had no other choice. Kimbrel had an earned run average of 5.33 this season and six blown saves in 29 opportunities.

Although Kimbrel has 440 career saves—the second-best among active pitchers and fifth-best all-time—the Orioles had no choice but to build their bullpen ahead of what will hopefully be a long playoff series in October.

Through Tuesday, the Orioles (84-67) trailed the Yankees (88-63) in the American League East by four games with 11 games left to play, a virtually insurmountable gap in the division race. They still lead the Kansas City Royals (82-70) by 2.5 games, giving them the best wild-card position to receive a bye in the first round of the postseason.

Even more concerning is that the Orioles are 27-34 since July 8. They have scored the second most runs in the American League this season, but their bullpen has been a sore spot all year. While their starters are 58-46 this year, their relievers are 26-21. Kimbrel is responsible for nine of the team’s 20 blown saves.

He made the last of his 22 saves this season on July 7th – the same time the Orioles fell down the table. Since then, he has played in middle relief and has allowed 25 runs (23 earned) in 19 games. His ERA has increased from 2.47 to 4.18.

Since then, he has played in middle relief and has allowed 25 runs (23 earned) in 19 games. His ERA has increased from 2.47 to 4.18.

In addition to Kimbrel, the bullpen includes Yennier Cano, Seranthony Dominguez, Cionel Perez, Gregory Soto and Keegan Akin. Dominguez has made 10 saves since Kimbrel’s demotion.

With incumbent closer Felix Bautista missing the season due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery, the Orioles signed Kimbrel to a one-year, $13 million free agent contract in December 2023.

The right-hander has pitched for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies in his career, which began in 2010.

Although the Phillies reached the National League Championship Series last year with Kimbrel as their closer, he allowed four runs in four NLCS appearances against the Diamondbacks. Kimbrel was the losing pitcher in two of the Phillies’ four losses in the series.

Kimbrel played no role at all in the Dodgers’ postseason results in 2022.

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