Craig Kimbrel just won a World Series ring as the star closer for the Boston Red Sox. Dirty Craig, as he is affectionately called by Sox fans, will now look to add a big, new contract to that jewelry based on his performance in the Fall Classic. He’s probably hoping prospective new homes (if he doesn’t end up back in Boston) didn’t notice his postseason before the Series, since even his signature pre-delivery crane pose couldn’t keep him from tipping pitches game-in and game-out before Boston realized what was happening and fixed it. That he didn’t actually manage to blow a save — only cause some heart attacks — despite not having his full command and the other team being clued in on what he’s doing may actually help him land a huge paycheck. At 30-years old, this is probably that last chance at a big check for Kimbrel, so where will he end up? Follow along as we track the reports, rumors and speculation about the closer’s destination.
All the qualifying offer and option decisions of the 2018 MLB offseason
Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesAs free agency gets going, players will be added to the pool of available free agents depending on whether their options are picked up or declined or whether they accept qualifying offers or not. While there are lots of team or player options out there to be decided on, most of them are probably going to be declined. The qualifying offer amount this year is $17.9 million.
This is a list of all the options (whether player, team, or mutual) that have been decided on thus far, and what their salary for next season is or would have been depending on the outcome. This includes buyout amounts as well, if applicable. The qualifying offers are listed as accepted or declined.
Read Article >Where 6 top free agent relievers should land this offseason
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty ImagesMany teams are looking to upgrade their pitching staff this offseason, as even teams that made a postseason appearance saw their bullpens fall apart at the most inopportune times or normally reliable starters fail to mow down opponents in their normal fashion. The good news is that, despite top options like Clayton Kershaw being off the market already thanks to a re-negotiated deal in LA, there is more than enough available help to make the offseason pitching carousel a fun one.
This year’s free agent class of relievers is an incredibly strong one, and will be fetching a variety of offers from
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