Craig Kimbrel Had a Very Craig Kimbrel Reason for Re-Joining the Atlanta Braves

ATLANTA, GA - The Atlanta Braves are rolling the dice on a familiar face, and it’s none other than reliever Craig Kimbrel, who just inked a minor legion deal to return to his hometown team. The 36-year-old fireballer didn’t mince words after signing, dropping a quote that’s already making waves: “If I’m gonna blow a save, I’d rather do it for my hometown Braves.” Uh, Craig, buddy, we know you’ve got the hometown love, but Braves fans might be sweating a little after hearing that one.

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Kimbrel’s recent years as a reliever have been, to put it kindly, a rollercoaster stuck in the “plummet” position. Once a dominant closer who racked up 346 saves and a Rookie of the Year award with the Braves back in 2011, Kimbrel’s career has taken a nosedive lately. His stints with the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers have been marred by a high volume of blown saves, leaving fans and managers alike clutching their pearls.

Since 2019, Kimbrel has blown 29 saves across those three teams, with a particularly rough 2023 in Philly where he coughed up 6 saves in 23 opportunities. The Dodgers in 2022 weren’t much better—he blew 5 saves in a season that saw him demoted from the closer role. And don’t get me started on his 2024 with the Orioles, where he managed to blow 7 saves in 30 chances, posting a 5.33 ERA that had Baltimore fans begging for anyone else to take the mound.

Now, Kimbrel’s back in Atlanta, where he started his career, and the Braves are hoping a return to familiar territory can spark some of that old magic. But the reactions from the Braves’ brass are… let’s call them cautiously optimistic, with a side of snark. Manager Brian Snitker didn’t hold back when asked about the signing: “My God, no one blows a save better than Craig.” Oof, Brian, tell us how you really feel! Meanwhile, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, who’s been known to pull off some savvy moves, seemed to shrug off the risk with a simple, “Look, I had to do something.” Hey, Alex, we get it—sometimes you’ve gotta swing for the fences, even if the batter’s been striking out a lot lately.

So, what can Braves fans expect from Kimbrel in 2025? Let’s break out the crystal ball and project some stats. Based on his recent performance, Kimbrel might appear in 55 games, pitching around 53 innings with a 4.85 ERA. He could rack up 15 saves—if the Braves trust him in high-leverage spots—but here’s the kicker: we’re projecting 69 more blown saves, bringing his career total to a staggering 420 blown saves, per Statfax. That, my friends, would be an MLB record, surpassing the current mark held by Goose Gossage (who sits at 419). Kimbrel’s already at 351 blown saves as of the end of 2024, so he’s got a real shot at making history—just not the kind you’d want on your baseball card.

Braves fans are no strangers to Kimbrel’s highs and lows. He was a four-time All-Star with Atlanta from 2011 to 2014, racking up 185 saves and a 1.43 ERA during that stretch. But that was a decade ago, and the Kimbrel of today is a far cry from the lockdown closer who used to strike fear into opposing batters. His fastball still has some zip, sitting around 94-95 mph, but the command issues and propensity for the long ball (1.8 HR/9 in 2024 with the Orioles) have turned him into a liability more often than not.

So, why take the chance? For the Braves, it’s a low-risk move with a minor legion deal, and maybe they’re banking on Kimbrel finding some of that old Atlanta magic. Or maybe they’re just hoping he can eat some innings in low-leverage situations and not completely implode. Either way, Kimbrel’s return to the Braves is a storyline we’ll be watching closely in 2025—whether it’s a feel-good redemption arc or another chapter in his blown-save saga. Stay tuned, Braves Country. You might want to keep the antacids handy.