Rosenthal: Mets, Brewers Still Involved in Kimbrel Market

Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reports that the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers are both still involved in the Craig Kimbrel market.

Kimbrel, 31, has lowered his asking price significantly from when he was demanding six-years, $100 million at the beginning of the 2018 offseason, which would have made him the highest paid closer of all-time.

However, in the case of the Mets, the team has a requirement if they are going to complete a deal with the reliever: he must be willing to pitch in any situation, not just the ninth inning.

Mickey Callaway clarified this past week that Edwin Diaz is strictly going to be used as a closer and only for three-out situations in the ninth inning, partially due to the presence of bone spurs in his elbow and the fact that the team wants to limit his usage especially in the first half of the season.

Kimbrel had a 2.74 ERA, 0.995 WHIP, 3.13 FIP, and 96 strikeouts in 63 appearances (62 1/3 innings) while notching 42 saves in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox.

The division-rival Atlanta Braves have also been a team mentioned as part of the market for the reliever in the past.

Meanwhile, Rosenthal also reported that the Mets have insured Jacob deGrom‘s five-year, $137.5 million extension, which is timely to be mentioned due to the concerns over the severity of his elbow injury the last couple of days.

Is this the year the Giants trade away Madison Bumgarner? @Ken_Rosenthal breaks down how likely that is, and discusses possible landing spots for free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel. pic.twitter.com/O0AfEXl1v7

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