Chicago Cubs: former All-Star closer signs with Tampa Bay Rays

The Chicago Cubs signed Craig Kimbrel to be their closer back in 2019. At the time of his signing, he was already an eight-time All-Star with 333 career saves and a career ERA of 1.91. Obviously, Chicago expected that he would continue to be an automatic save machine in a Cubs uniform and help them return to World Series contention.

Unfortunately, that did not happen. Kimbrel struggled in his first two seasons with Chicago and when he finally did start to figure it out again, the Cubs traded him to the White Sox.

Since leaving the Cubs, Kimbrel has pitched for seven different Major League teams, and is about to join his eighth.

Former Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays

Kimbrel had originally signed to pitch for the New York Mets this season. However, he posted a 6.00 ERA in 14 games and was designated for assignment. When he cleared waivers, he elected free agency instead of accepting an assignment to the minors.

Now, he has signed a Major League deal with the Tampa Bay Rays:

Rays in agreement with reliever Craig Kimbrel on major-league deal, source tells @TheAthletic. Became free agent when he refused minor-league assignment with Mets.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 26, 2026

In his two-and-a-half seasons with Chicago, Kimbrel was 2-8 with a 3.22 ERA and 38 saves. However, his final half-season with the Cubs made these numbers look better than the majority of his time with the team was.

In 2019, he was 0-4 with a 6.53 ERA and 13 saves in 23 appearances. In 2020, which was a shortened season, he was 0-1 with a 5.28 ERA and two saves in 18 games.

Finally, in 2021, he started to throw like the potential Hall of Famer that he is. In 63 appearances with the Cubs that year, he was 2-3 with a 0.49 ERA and 23 saves in 39 games.

After being traded to the White Sox, though, he was 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA in 24 appearances. He only recorded one more save for the rest of the season.

Since leaving the city of Chicago altogether following the 2021 season, Kimbrel is 21-21 with a 4.06 ERA and 68 saves.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-craig-kimbrel-tampa-bay-rays/