There simply isn't an excuse for the way the Atlanta Braves treated franchise saves leader Craig Kimbrel. Having the closer return to throw one road inning before a demotion was a clear disrespect for a veteran who simply deserved better. It isn't as if the Braves had a wealth of arms in the bullpen with positive results. Raisel Iglesias would be lucky to work the clean inning Kimbrel offered, and yet the team has had no problem continuing to trot the highly paid reliever out for one frustrating outing after another. Regardless, the attempt at a reunion is over, with the veteran opting for free agency after his demotion.
It is hard to blame Kimbrel for choosing free agency after the way his former team handled the situation. The veteran didn't have to wait long, quickly signing a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. Unlike Atlanta, the franchise is in the middle of both the division and wildcard races. It would be a surprise not to see the team continue to make moves two seasons after an improbable World Series run.
Former Braves Closer Craig Kimbrel Finds a New Landing Spot
Atlanta fans hope that this is the fresh start Kimbrel needed and perhaps a chance to continue his Major League career. As frustrated as the fan base might be with the failing Braves, there is no denying that Kimbrel didn't look great in his lone appearance. The breaking ball was awful, and the veteran needed a pick-off and a caught stealing to navigate through a scoreless inning. However, the obvious counter to this is the move the team made to create the roster spot in the first place.
You parted ways with a previously productive reliever in Scott Blewett and lack any reliable options in the bullpen. Keeping Kimbrel around for another outing or two in hopes of improvement was the right decision. Not giving the former closer at least one home game continues to show just how out of touch the front office is with this fan base.
It is a passionate group that has watched franchise stars walk away while the front office has insisted it has better answers. While this has continued to implode, it seems the team wasn't content with this story alone needing to bring back a franchise legend to mismanage, to add to the boiling frustrations.
At least Kimbrel is offered an escape from the dysfunction and will have a clear path to competing for a spot at the back of the Rangers' pen. A wise move for a veteran who continues to attempt to fight his way back to the next level.