The nine-time All-Star closer is back in the big leagues — and this time, it’s official. After arriving in camp on a minor league deal and proving he still has something left in the tank, Top star has secured a major league contract with the New York Mets. For a pitcher with one of the most decorated résumés among active relievers, the opportunity represents both validation and a fresh start. For the Mets, it signals belief.
His path to this point has not been without questions. As he has moved deeper into his late 30s, inconsistency has crept into his performances, and doubts about durability and command have followed. But what he showed over the past year suggested that reports of his decline may have been premature.
In 2025, Kimbrel delivered solid results in the minors, posting a 3.00 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 39 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. More importantly, his brief major league stints with the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves demonstrated that his swing-and-miss ability still translates against top competition. Over 12 big league innings, he recorded a 2.25 ERA and struck out 17 hitters, flashing the late-inning dominance that once made him one of baseball’s most feared closers. While the sample size was limited, the Mets clearly saw enough to believe he can contribute meaningfully in 2026.
President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has emphasized building a bullpen that blends power arms with poise and leadership. Kimbrel checks that box emphatically. Few relievers in the game can match his postseason experience, high-leverage exposure, and career accomplishments.
Ranking fifth all-time in career saves and owning a Reliever of the Year award, Kimbrel brings credibility the moment he steps onto the mound. For a Mets team with postseason ambitions, having a veteran who has navigated October pressure could prove invaluable.
There is also the element of adaptation. Kimbrel has reportedly refined his pitch mix, including adding a changeup to complement his fastball and curveball. That willingness to evolve suggests he understands the adjustments required to extend a career at this level. Reinvention is often what separates longevity from decline.
What makes this signing particularly compelling is the balance of risk and reward. Even as a major league addition, Kimbrel does not need to be the dominant closer of his prime to justify the move. The Mets are not asking him to carry the bullpen. They are asking for reliability, strikeouts in key moments, and stability in the late innings. If he delivers that, this contract could quietly become one of the more impactful bullpen moves of the offseason.
Relief pitching remains one of the most unpredictable elements in baseball. Seasons can swing on a handful of late-inning performances. A rejuvenated Kimbrel gives the Mets another experienced option when games tighten in the seventh, eighth, or ninth inning.
Now entering his age-38 season, Kimbrel’s career stands at an intriguing crossroads. His legacy is secure, but competitors of his caliber are rarely content with past accomplishments. This opportunity in New York offers more than just another uniform. It offers a chance to prove that he still belongs on a major league mound.
Spring results opened the door. The major league contract confirms the belief. The only question that remains is how big a role Craig Kimbrel will play in shaping the Mets’ season — and whether this veteran closer has one more defining run left in him.