Closer Craig Kimbrel and Atlanta Braves Agree To New Contract
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Scott Cunningham/Getty Images Sport(KISSIMMEE, Fla.) – Closer Craig Kimbrel and the Atlanta Braves avoided salary arbitration on Sunday when the right-hander agreed to a four-year contract, with a club option for the 2018 season. The deal is worth at least $42 million with the option year at $13 million, according to ESPN.
“We are very excited to agree to terms with Craig, who we feel is the best closer in Major League Baseball,” Braves executive vice president and general manager Frank Wren said in a statement. “He is one of the key pieces of our pitching staff and we are happy to keep him in a Braves uniform for at least four more years.”
The 25-year-old Kimbrel saved a league-leading 50 games last year with a 1.21 ERA. He had 98 strikeouts in 67 innings of work. In four seasons with the Braves, the three-time All-Star has 139 saves and a 1.39 ERA.
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