Kimbrel ‘on board’ to embrace uncharted role
PHILADELPHIA — Craig Kimbrel is aware of what it takes for a crew to win a World Series — and he sees that potential within the 2023 Phillies.
Kimbrel, who was launched by the Phillies on Thursday after signing a one-year deal, was the nearer for the 2018 World Series champion Red Sox. That Boston crew — which was run by now-Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski — had come up quick in each the ’16 and ’17 postseasons.
“Seeing a team fight hard and get to that point and then come up just short, I’ve been on enough of those teams to be able to say, ‘Hey that team was good enough and it looks like they’re going to have that opportunity again,'” Kimbrel informed reporters on Zoom. “When I look at the Phillies, that’s what I saw. At this point in my career, I want to win championships — and this team can do that.”
Kimbrel not solely desires to assist the reigning NL champions take the following step, however he desires to be a part of the town’s subsequent iconic second. Though he gained a hoop in Boston, Kimbrel didn’t pitch within the decisive sport within the 2018 World Series. It was as an alternative Game 1 starter Chris Sale who recorded the ultimate three outs in Game 5 towards the Dodgers.
“Big picture every year coming in is to be the last team on the field, to be able to dogpile on whoever’s throwing that last pitch. Not to lie, I still do want to throw that last pitch,” Kimbrel mentioned. “It’s always been a goal of mine. It’s something I’ve dreamed of as a kid.”
That mentioned, Kimbrel wasn’t made any guarantees because it pertains to the nearer function.
“Not to say [Kimbrel] won’t close games or saying that can’t happen, but it was important to discuss beforehand,” Dombrowski mentioned. “We really feel like we have now the makings of an actual good bullpen. We have fairly a couple of guys who can pitch with a one-run lead late within the sport, which we expect is extraordinarily necessary.”
While Kimbrel acknowledged that he is open to pitching in any function, it is arduous to disregard his standing as among the finest closers in MLB historical past. He ranks seventh on the all-time saves listing with 394 and enters 2023 with an opportunity to hitch the 400-save membership, which options solely Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), Francisco Rodríguez (437), John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422).
“I would say I do understand that it’s a very honoring achievement, if I can get there,” Kimbrel mentioned. “And I do expect to get there. But I’m not focusing on any number of saves or what position I’m going to be in. I’m just focusing on helping the team any way I can and I think good things will come from that.”
Kimbrel is coming off a 2022 season through which he posted a 3.75 ERA and was faraway from the nearer’s function by Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts in late September. That got here after comparable late-season struggles with the White Sox in ’21.
The Phillies, nevertheless, got here away from a gathering with Kimbrel — one which included pitching coach Caleb Cotham and director of pitching improvement Brian Kaplan, amongst others — assured that they’ll repair the eight-time All-Star.
Kimbrel acknowledged that he picked up on a couple of mechanical points after the season and he additionally talked about studying a pair pitches final 12 months that he plans to convey with him to Philadelphia.
“My goal, just like it is every year, is I’m going to show up and be the best I can be and be the me that everybody expects to see,” Kimbrel said. “A lot of those questions will take care of themselves as we go through Spring Training and the season gets close.”
And if Thomson continues spreading out save possibilities?
“I’m very on board with that,” Kimbrel said. “This game has changed and it will continue to change. If I want to continue to be part of it, that has to be part of the conversation, as well.”
That’s the identical clubhouse mindset that helped the Phillies win the pennant in 2022. And it’s one which Kimbrel believes will yield even higher ends in ’23.
“The goal is winning a World Series, and that’s about it,” Kimbrel mentioned. “If some other things are achieved in between there, I’ll be happier than anything, but if not — if we can go all the way, that’s all that matters.”
