Craig Kimbrel To Be Part Of Closer Committee?
2 years agoAfter the Philadelphia Phillies removed Corey Knebel from the closer's role in June, the ninth inning became a closer-by-committee situation, and 11 different relievers recorded a save in 2022, which was a franchise record. The Phillies signed active saves leader Craig Kimbrel to a $10 million deal just before Christmas, but all indications are that the team's closer-by-committee approach will continue in 2023. Kimbrel will not enter his first year with the team as the set closer. Instead, the Phillies plan for him to be one of many late-inning relievers that the team trusts, according to major-league sources. It's bad news for Kimbrel's fantasy value as a closer, as he'll likely be battling Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alvarado for save chances. The 35-year-old Kimbrel was so bad in the second half of 2022 with the Dodgers that he was left off the playoff roster, so his fantasy stock takes another hit heading into next season.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb