Craig Kimbrel
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/thumb/mlb_bal.png)
Baltimore Orioles, Relief Pitcher
Age: 36-111d (May 28, 1988)
Exp: 12.162 Years
Country: US
Drafted: Round 3 (#96 overall), 2008
Agent(s): David Meter (Sportsmeter, LLC)
2024 Payroll Salary
$12,000,000
2024 Cash
$12,000,000
Career Earnings
$126,275,188
2024-2025 free-agent-xxb (CURRENT)
Craig Kimbrel signed a 1 year , $13,000,000 contract with the Baltimore Orioles, including $13,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $13,000,000. In 2024, Kimbrel will earn a base salary of $12,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $12,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $13,000,000
Average Salary:
$13,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2026 / UFA
Year | Age | Status | PayrollAnnual | Luxury Tax | Tax % League Tax | Cash Annual | Cash Cumulative | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
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36 | $12,000,000 | $13,000,000 | 5.49% | $12,000,000 | $12,000,000 | |
2025 |
![]() |
37 |
Club
|
$13,000,000 | $13,000,000 | - | $1,000,000 | $13,000,000 |
2026 |
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38 |
UFA |
Year | Age | Service | Status | Base Salary | Incentives Likely | Incentives Unlikely | Payroll Salary | Luxury Tax | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
![]() |
36 | 12.162 | $12,000,000 | - | - | $12,000,000 | $13,000,000 | |
2025 |
![]() |
37 | - |
Club
|
$13,000,000 | - | - | $13,000,000 | $13,000,000 |
2026 |
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38 | -- |
UFA |
Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | AYC Cumulative | AYC Remaining | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
![]() |
36 | $12,000,000 | $12,000,000 | $12,000,000 | $12,000,000 | $6,500,000 | |
2025 |
![]() |
37 |
Club |
$1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $13,000,000 | $6,500,000 | $1,000,000 |
Contract Notes
- 2025 Club Option includes a $1M buyout
- Buyout Escalator
$100,000 each for 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 appearances
$100,000 each for 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 games finished
Source:
MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.
2023-2023 free-agent-xxb
Craig Kimbrel signed a 1 year , $10,000,000 contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, including $10,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $10,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $10,000,000
Average Salary:
$10,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2024 / UFA
2019-2022 free-agent-xxb
Craig Kimbrel signed a 3 year , $43,000,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, including $43,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $14,333,333.
Contract Terms:
3 yr(s) / $43,000,000
Average Salary:
$14,333,333
Signing Bonus:
N/A
2014-2018 Arbitration Extension
Craig Kimbrel signed a 4 year , $42,000,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $1,000,000 signing bonus, $42,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $10,500,000.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $42,000,000
Average Salary:
$10,500,000
Signing Bonus:
$1,000,000
2013-2013 Pre-Arb
Craig Kimbrel signed a 1 year , $655,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $655,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $655,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $655,000
Average Salary:
$655,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
2012-2012 Pre-Arb
Craig Kimbrel signed a 1 year , $590,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $590,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $590,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $590,000
Average Salary:
$590,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
2011-2011 Pre-Arb
Craig Kimbrel signed a 1 year , $419,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $419,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $419,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $419,000
Average Salary:
$419,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
2010-2010 Pre-Arb
Craig Kimbrel signed a 1 year , $400,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $400,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $400,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $400,000
Average Salary:
$400,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
2008-2008 Signing Bonus
Craig Kimbrel signed a 1 year , $391,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $391,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $391,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $391,000
Average Salary:
$391,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Career Earnings thru 2024
$126,275,188
Career Earnings w/ Different Teams
8 teams
Earnings Per Year
Year | Age | Team(s) | Status | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | Awards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | 20 |
![]() |
Signing Bonus
|
$391,000 |
$391,000 |
|
2010 | 22 |
![]() |
Active
|
$144,262 |
$535,262 |
|
2011 | 23 |
![]() |
Active
|
$419,000 |
$954,262 |
NL ROY |
2012 | 24 |
![]() |
Active
|
$590,000 |
$1,544,262 |
|
2013 | 25 |
![]() |
Active
|
$655,000 |
$2,199,262 |
|
2014 | 26 |
![]() |
Active / Arb Avoided
|
$8,050,000 |
$10,249,262 |
|
2015 | 27 |
![]() |
Active
|
$9,000,000 |
$19,249,262 |
|
2016 | 28 |
![]() |
Active
|
$11,050,000 |
$30,299,262 |
|
2017 | 29 |
![]() |
Active
|
$13,000,000 |
$43,299,262 |
|
2018 | 30 |
![]() |
Active / Club Exercised
|
$13,050,000 |
$56,349,262 |
Champion |
2019 | 31 |
![]() |
Active
|
$10,000,000 |
$66,349,262 |
|
2020 | 32 |
![]() |
Active
|
$5,925,926 |
$72,275,188 |
|
2021 | 33 |
![]() ![]() |
Active
Retained
|
$5,591,430 $10,408,570 |
$77,866,618 $88,275,188 |
|
2022 | 34 |
![]() |
Active / Club Exercised
|
$16,000,000 |
$104,275,188 |
|
2023 | 35 |
![]() |
Active
|
$10,000,000 |
$114,275,188 |
|
2024 | 36 |
![]() |
Active
|
$12,000,000 |
$126,275,188 |
|
Total |
$126,275,188 |
$126,275,188 |
||||
2025 | 37 |
![]() |
Active / Club
|
$1,000,000 |
||
Total |
$127,275,188 |
Year | Team(s) | Age | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
![]() |
20 |
$391,000 |
$391,000 |
$391,000 |
||
2010 |
![]() |
22 |
$144,262
|
$144,262 |
$535,262 |
||
2011 |
![]() |
23 |
$419,000
|
$419,000 |
$954,262 |
||
2012 |
![]() |
24 |
$590,000
|
$590,000 |
$1,544,262 |
||
2013 |
![]() |
25 |
$655,000
|
$655,000 |
$2,199,262 |
||
2014 |
![]() |
26 |
$7,000,000
|
$1,000,000 |
$50,000 |
$8,050,000 |
$10,249,262 |
2015 |
![]() |
27 |
$9,000,000
|
$9,000,000 |
$19,249,262 |
||
2016 |
![]() |
28 |
$11,000,000
|
$50,000 |
$11,050,000 |
$30,299,262 |
|
2017 |
![]() |
29 |
$13,000,000
|
$13,000,000 |
$43,299,262 |
||
2018 |
![]() |
30 |
$13,000,000
|
$50,000 |
$13,050,000 |
$56,349,262 |
|
2019 |
![]() |
31 |
$10,000,000
|
$10,000,000 |
$66,349,262 |
||
2020 |
![]() |
32 |
$5,925,926
|
$5,925,926 |
$72,275,188 |
||
2021 |
![]() ![]() |
33 |
$5,591,430 $10,408,570
|
$5,591,430 $10,408,570 |
$77,866,618 $88,275,188 |
||
2022 |
![]() |
34 |
$16,000,000
|
$16,000,000 |
$104,275,188 |
||
2023 |
![]() |
35 |
$10,000,000
|
$10,000,000 |
$114,275,188 |
||
2024 |
![]() |
36 |
$12,000,000
|
$12,000,000 |
$126,275,188 |
||
Total |
$124,734,188 |
$1,391,000 |
$150,000 |
$126,275,188 |
$126,275,188 |
||
2025 |
![]() |
37 |
$1,000,000
|
$1,000,000 |
|||
Total |
$125,734,188 |
$1,391,000 |
$150,000 |
$127,275,188 |
Earnings Per Team
Years | Team | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Cumulative |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 |
![]() |
$8,808,262 | $1,391,000 | $50,000 | $10,249,262 |
1 |
![]() |
$9,000,000 | - | - | $9,000,000 |
3 |
![]() |
$37,000,000 | - | $100,000 | $37,100,000 |
3 |
![]() |
$26,334,496 | - | - | $26,334,496 |
1 |
![]() |
$5,591,430 | - | - | $5,591,430 |
1 |
![]() |
$16,000,000 | - | - | $16,000,000 |
1 |
![]() |
$10,000,000 | - | - | $10,000,000 |
1 |
![]() |
$12,000,000 | - | - | $12,000,000 |
Injuries
Year | Dates | Reason | |
---|---|---|---|
2016 |
![]() |
Jul 07, 2016 - Aug 01, 2016 | Knee |
2019 |
![]() |
Aug 04, 2019 - Aug 18, 2019 | Knee |
2019 |
![]() |
Sep 05, 2019 - Sep 19, 2019 | Elbow |
-
Dec 06, 2023 Signed a 1 year $13 million contract with Baltimore (BAL), plus a club option for 2025
-
Dec 23, 2022 Signed a 1 year $10 million contract with Philadelphia (PHI)
-
Apr 01, 2022 Traded to Los Angeles (LAD) from Chicago (CHW) for A.J. Pollock
-
Nov 06, 2021 Chicago (CHW) exercised a $16 million option for 2022
-
Jul 30, 2021 Traded to Chicago (CHW) from Chicago (CHC) for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer
-
Jun 05, 2019 Signed a 3 year $43 million contract with Chicago (CHC)
-
Nov 12, 2018 Declined a $17.9M Qualifying Offer from Boston (BOS)
-
Nov 02, 2018 Boston (BOS) extended a $17.9 million Qualifying Offer
-
Nov 02, 2017 Boston (BOS) exercised a $13M club option for 2018
-
Nov 13, 2015 Traded to Boston (BOS) from San Diego (SD) for Manuel Margot, Logan Allen, Carlos Asuaje and Javier Guerra
-
Apr 05, 2015 Traded to San Diego (SD) from Atlanta (ATL) with Melvin Upton for Cameron Maybin, Carlos Quentin, Matt Wisler, Jordan Paroubeck and 2015 1st round pick (#41)
-
Feb 16, 2014 Signed a 4 year $42 million contract with Atlanta (ATL)
-
Feb 27, 2013 Signed a 1 year $655k contract with Atlanta (ATL)
-
Feb 22, 2011 Signed a 1 year $419k contract with Atlanta (ATL)
-
May 05, 2010 Signed a 1 year $400k contract with Atlanta (ATL)
-
Jun 10, 2008 Signed a contract with Atlanta (ATL)
-
Jun 07, 2008 Drafted by Atlanta (ATL): Round 3 (#96 overall)
Year | Team | GP | GS | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | W | L | SV | IP | ERA | WHIP | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | BAL | 54 | 0 | 34 | 26 | 22 | 27 | 67 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 23 | 49.7 | 3.99 | 1.23 | 0.00 |
2023 | PHI | 69 | 0 | 44 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 94 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 23 | 69.0 | 3.26 | 1.04 | 1.81 |
2022 | LAD | 63 | 0 | 51 | 31 | 25 | 28 | 72 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 22 | 60.0 | 3.75 | 1.32 | 0.05 |
2021 | CHW | 63 | 0 | 31 | 19 | 15 | 23 | 100 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 59.7 | 2.26 | 0.91 | -0.01 |
2020 | CHC | 18 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 15.3 | 5.28 | 1.44 | 0.00 |
2019 | CHC | 23 | 0 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 30 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 20.7 | 6.53 | 1.60 | 0.00 |
2018 | BOS | 63 | 0 | 31 | 19 | 19 | 31 | 96 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 42 | 62.3 | 2.74 | 1.00 | 0.00 |
2017 | BOS | 67 | 0 | 33 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 126 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 35 | 69.0 | 1.44 | 0.68 | 3.57 |
2016 | BOS | 57 | 0 | 29 | 22 | 21 | 30 | 83 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 31 | 53.0 | 3.57 | 1.11 | 0.82 |
2015 | SD | 61 | 0 | 40 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 87 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 39 | 59.3 | 2.58 | 1.05 | 1.34 |
2014 | ATL | 63 | 0 | 30 | 13 | 11 | 26 | 95 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 47 | 61.7 | 1.61 | 0.91 | 2.53 |
2013 | ATL | 68 | 0 | 39 | 10 | 9 | 20 | 98 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 50 | 67.0 | 1.21 | 0.88 | 3.07 |
2012 | ATL | 63 | 0 | 27 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 116 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 42 | 62.7 | 1.01 | 0.65 | 3.22 |
2011 | ATL | 79 | 0 | 48 | 19 | 18 | 32 | 127 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 46 | 77.0 | 2.10 | 1.04 | 2.45 |
Calculated Market Value
Market Value
- 2 years, $15,717,260
- Avg. Salary: $7,858,630
- MLB Rank: 212
- RP Rank: 25
Current Contract
- Free Agent: 2026
- Avg. Salary: $13,000,000
- MLB Rank: 125
- RP Rank: 8
Comparable Players
We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Craig Kimbrel to.
Player | Length | Value | Avg. Salary | Age When Signed |
---|---|---|---|---|
Daniel Bard | 2 | $19,000,000 | $9,500,000 | 37 |
David Robertson | 1 | $11,500,000 | $11,500,000 | 38 |
Kenley Jansen | 2 | $32,000,000 | $16,000,000 | 35 |
Adam Ottavino | 1 | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 | 38 |
Averages | 2 | $16,750,000 | $10,375,000 | 37.0 |
Base Calculated Value
After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Kimbrel's current age (36), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.
Length | Value | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
3 | $26,303,571 | $8,767,857 |
Statistical Comparisons
Now we'll compare our variables and Kimbrel statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP/Yr, SV, ERA, WHIP, K/9, BB/9, FIP, WAR
Player | GP/Yr | SV | ERA | WHIP | K/9 | BB/9 | FIP | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Daniel Bard
2021-2022
|
62.00 | 0.44 | 3.50 | 1.30 | 10.62 | 4.33 | 3.57 | 1.84 |
David Robertson
2022-2023
|
59.50 | 0.32 | 2.72 | 1.18 | 11.10 | 4.20 | 3.56 | 2.44 |
Kenley Jansen
2021-2022
|
67.00 | 0.59 | 2.80 | 1.05 | 11.58 | 3.90 | 3.14 | 1.74 |
Adam Ottavino
2022-2023
|
66.00 | 0.11 | 2.64 | 1.10 | 9.94 | 3.21 | 3.68 | 1.79 |
Average | 63.63 | 0.37 | 2.92 | 1.16 | 10.81 | 3.91 | 3.49 | 1.95 |
Craig Kimbrel
2023-2024
|
58.50 | 0.39 | 3.58 | 1.13 | 12.58 | 4.49 | 4.00 | 1.18 |
Pct Change | -8.06 | 5.41 | -22.60 | 2.59 | 16.37 | -14.83 | -14.61 | -39.49 |
Median Prime % Change | -11.34% | |||||||
Average Prime % Change | -9.40% |
Calculated Market Value: Craig Kimbrel
After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.
Terms | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
2 years, $15,717,260 | $7,858,630 |