The Atlanta Braves offseason was a surprisingly quiet one, with the signing of Jurickson Profar being the one obvious exception. It is clear the Braves believe a full offseason to get healthy was all this roster needed to return to form.
Considering the results of the 2023 season it is a fair assessment even if the team could use a bit more depth. Bullpen depth is always a concern and still a position the Braves could make a move this spring.
With this in mind, there is one obvious fit remaining in free agency. Former Braves' closer Craig Kimbrel returning to Atlanta is a move that makes sense for both sides. Kimbrel is coming off the worst season of his career and looking for a chance to rebound.
Craig Kimbrel is the Perfect Reclamation Signing for the Back of Atlanta's Bullpen
Kimbrel spent his first five seasons with Atlanta before being traded to the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2015 season. The Braves needed a rebuild and understood paying top dollar for one of the league's best closers wasn't going to fit their timeline. In the years since the trade, Kimbrel has made stops with the Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, and Orioles.
As the league has caught up to Kimbrel's early velocity the pitcher's early dominance has waned. Still, Kimbrel has remained a viable bullpen piece until last season's struggles. Bringing back the former Atlanta closer and allowing him to compete for a bullpen role makes sense for both sides.
For Atlanta, it gives you the chance to find a late-inning arm with high upside for next to nothing. It allows Kimbrel to return to where his career began and join a loaded Atlanta team looking to make a playoff run. It could allow the veteran reliever to help Atlanta's younger pitchers as well. It was Billy Wagner who helped mentor Kimbrel in his first season in Atlanta and help the young closer take a step forward.
Bringing back Kimbrel to give him a chance in a similar veteran role has a symmetry to it. Aside from this, the closer has an impressive career leaving reason to wonder if there isn't more left in the tank. Ignoring Kimbrel's history in Atlanta it would be a potentially savvy move giving Atlanta the chance to find much-needed cheap bullpen production.