The Atlanta Braves just designated future Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel for assignment. This unexpected move opens a golden opportunity for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
With the trade deadline creeping up, the Pirates could really benefit from adding the veteran reliever. Kimbrel might not only help their shaky bullpen but could also become a trade chip for prospects if he performs well.
The Braves’ Surprising Decision
Kimbrel, one of the most dominant closers of his era, found himself back with the Braves, where his story started. Even after tossing a scoreless inning in his latest outing, the Braves decided to move on.
Honestly, it caught a lot of people off guard. Kimbrel had been lights-out in Triple-A, running up a 2.00 ERA, 2.44 FIP, and an 11.5 K/9 over 18 innings.
Why the Braves Moved On
Kimbrel did allow a couple of baserunners in that scoreless frame, but the Braves acted fast. Maybe it was about roster needs or just the looming trade deadline—hard to say for sure.
Whatever their reasoning, making Kimbrel available gives the Pirates a shot they probably didn’t expect.
The Pirates’ Bullpen Woes
The Pirates’ bullpen has been a headache this season. Sure, David Bednar and a few vets have had their moments, but overall, it’s been a struggle.
Adding someone like Kimbrel could steady things, at least for a while.
A Temporary Fix with Long-Term Benefits
Bringing in Kimbrel might patch up the bullpen for now. More importantly, if he pitches well, his value goes up.
With the deadline coming, the Pirates could try flipping him for a prospect or two. That’s a win in their situation.
The Trade Deadline Strategy
July 31 isn’t far off, so the Pirates don’t have much time to make this work. Give Kimbrel some low-pressure innings, let him find his groove, and see if contenders take notice.
The market this year leans toward sellers, which really works in the Pirates’ favor if they play their cards right.
Low-Risk, High-Reward Move
Let’s be honest, picking up Kimbrel doesn’t cost the Pirates much. If he falters, it’s not really worse than what they’ve seen already.
If he shines, maybe they snag a decent prospect. Even a lottery ticket is better than nothing, right?
Historical Significance
Even if it doesn’t move the needle on the field, having a future Hall of Famer like Kimbrel in a Pirates uniform is memorable. This might be his last shot in the majors, especially after the Braves let him go.
The Final Opportunity
If it comes down to choosing between the Pirates and retirement, Kimbrel might just go with the Pirates. It’d give him one last shot to show what he’s got at the highest level.
This could actually work out for both Kimbrel and the Pirates. Maybe it’s not a perfect solution, but sometimes you just have to take the chance when it’s there.
For more details, check out the full article on Rumbunter.
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