Craig Kimbrel knows what people are thinking.
Feb 11, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
He’s 37. The fastball isn’t what it was. The ERA hasn’t sparkled in years. The dominant, untouchable closer who once overwhelmed hitters feels like a different era.
But in Port St. Lucie, the future Hall of Famer isn’t acting like someone ready to fade away.
He’s fighting for a job.
Feb 11, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Kimbrel signed a minor league deal with the Mets on January 29, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training. For a nine-time All-Star with 400-plus saves, that alone tells the story of how far his stock has dipped.
Yet there’s context.
After beginning 2025 in the Braves’ system and receiving only a brief one-game call-up, Kimbrel resurfaced late in the year with Houston during a playoff push. In 13 appearances, he allowed just three earned runs across 11 innings while striking out 16.
It wasn’t vintage Kimbrel.
But it was competitive.
That late-season surge is what gives him a real chance in New York.
“I can only do what I can do. I still feel like I have the ability to get outs,” Kimbrel said in a recent interview.
Getting outs consistently has been the issue. After a remarkable 0.49 ERA stretch with the Cubs in 2021, Kimbrel has bounced between organizations. The Orioles signed him to close in 2024, but he posted a 5.33 ERA in 57 games and was ultimately designated for assignment.
The dominance hasn’t been steady.
The opportunity, however, is real.
The Mets’ bullpen has undergone heavy turnover this offseason. Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, and Luis García appear secure. Beyond that, roles are fluid. Even Tobias Myers could shift between starting and relief depending on roster construction.
That uncertainty opens a door.
Kimbrel doesn’t need to be the closer. He doesn’t even need to be the eighth-inning weapon. If he can provide competitive, swing-and-miss innings in middle relief, the Mets could justify a roster spot.
He believes he’s physically ready.
“I was able to build back up strength,” Kimbrel said. “It took a while for my body to get comfortable. It was a long process — probably longer than I hoped. But I was pretty comfortable how the year ended.”
That confidence matters for a pitcher whose career has been defined by rhythm and aggression.
For the Mets, this is a low-risk gamble. If Kimbrel’s late-2025 form was real, they gain a veteran with postseason experience and clubhouse credibility. If not, they move on.
For Kimbrel, the stakes are larger.
Every appearance now feels like part of a final chapter — a chance to prove that the arm still holds enough life to matter in October.
Whether he makes the Opening Day roster remains uncertain.
But one thing is clear: Craig Kimbrel isn’t here for a farewell tour.
He’s here to compete.
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