As Opening Day approaches, one of the more intriguing roster decisions facing the New York Mets centers around a familiar name—Craig Kimbrel.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The veteran closer, signed to a minor league deal earlier this year, is still battling for a spot in the bullpen. And while his résumé speaks for itself, his place on the team is far from guaranteed.
Kimbrel is coming off a limited but effective 2025 season, posting a 2.25 ERA across 14 appearances split between Atlanta and Houston. But that success came in a small sample, and the broader trend of his career suggests decline—highlighted by a rough 5.33 ERA campaign in 2024.
Even so, his experience remains valuable.
New York Mets pitcher Craig Kimbrel | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
With 440 career saves and years of high-leverage pitching under his belt, Kimbrel offers something few others can: proven late-inning presence. For a Mets team looking to solidify the back end of its bullpen, that kind of track record still carries weight.
This spring, Kimbrel has shown flashes of that value—but also some warning signs.
Across five appearances, he’s logged a respectable 3.60 ERA. However, control has been an issue, with five walks compared to just two strikeouts. Perhaps more concerning is a dip in velocity, something Kimbrel himself hasn’t ignored.
Physically, though, he says he feels ready.
“My body feels good,” Kimbrel said recently, while acknowledging he’d like to see more from his velocity. He added that while most of his pitches are where he wants them, there’s still room for improvement as the season nears.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has offered a vote of confidence, noting that Kimbrel is trending in the right direction and continuing to sharpen his form.
Still, the final decision won’t rest on past success—or even spring performance alone.
Kimbrel understands that.
“It’s not up to me,” he said when asked about his chances of making the roster. “It depends on what they want the bullpen to look like and who they believe can help the team right now.”
That reality underscores where he is at this stage of his career.
Once one of baseball’s most dominant closers, Kimbrel is now fighting to prove he can still contribute in a meaningful way. The role may be smaller, the margin for error thinner—but the belief in his ability hasn’t faded.
“I feel like I can help,” he said.
Whether the Mets agree will be decided soon.
And whatever the outcome, it could play a significant role in shaping not just New York’s bullpen—but the next chapter of Kimbrel’s career.
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