A likely Hall of Fame pitcher with 333 career saves, including 42 in 2018, could be in the final hours of free agency at this time next week. Craig Kimbrel remains on the market for several reasons, but surely one of them is because if a big league team signs him before the amateur draft ends -- and it ends next Wednesday -- then it must surrender a high draft pick. The millions of dollars is no big deal in a billion-dollar industry, of course, but the pick is key. The same deal holds for veteran left-handed starter Dallas Keuchel, but fantasy managers are not as interested in him. With Kimbrel, where he signs is critical, because we presume saves -- though not necessarily! -- and someone else loses them upon his arrival. Kimbrel is available in 36 percent of ESPN standard leagues, but that will change soon.
One assumes only a contender would be interested in Kimbrel, and for him the same appeal of October baseball awaits. He is not going to the Miami Marlins, folks. Several contenders seem needier than others for an established closer, but there is little clarity on which teams would be interested. My advice here is simple: Add Kimbrel to your benches this week in advance of his pending signing. It seems unlikely he sits out this season. In addition, do not be afraid to add a potential saves option on a team that could sign Kimbrel. One can always move on from that pitcher in a week. He could go to myriad places and be a top-five closer the rest of the season. I have concerns about how Kimbrel pitched in 2018, and whether he can be ready to pitch before mid-June, but those seem minor in the big picture.
Which team could get Kimbrel? Well, let us go in wins order, because one never knows.