Atlanta Braves Will Remain Interested in Craig Kimbrel For the Right Price

The Atlanta Braves are in need of a dominant closer, and there are few better than former Brave Craig Kimbrel. Could a reunion work for Kimbrel and the Braves this off-season?

Craig Kimbrel started his career with the Atlanta Braves, he was a great closer and dominated the ninth inning. He was thought to be a Brave for a long time to come before a surprise trade sent him packing.

With their rebuild now complete the Braves are once again looking for an answer to their problems in the late innings. Kimbrel could be the perfect answer for a team who is willing to spend money on top free agents this off-season.

Kimbrel is the best closer on the market, there isn’t any questioning that statement. His numbers speak for themselves.  At age thirty he has saved over 300 games already and has a career ERA of 1.91.

Not surprisingly with these numbers, Kimbrel is looking to land a long-term deal upwards of $80-million. For the Braves that simply will not happen, with other needs to address the Braves want to reunite with Kimbrel will only allow them to offer so much.

Three years is likely the longest deal the Braves would offer Craig making their best hope of landing him another bad free agent market.

If Kimbrel were to land in Atlanta it would leave limited resources to address the need in right field and at the top of the rotation.

Kimbrel spent his first four seasons in Atlanta though it is unlikely to heavily influence his decision. The roster has been overhauled since then and Atlanta has moved into a new ballpark.

The team Kimbrel once was a part of has been disassembled. For Atlanta, they must hope a weak free agent market and a young up-and-coming roster will make them a top choice for the prize free agent.