Fans want Craig Kimbrel to let it go after he somehow returns to MLB with Royals

Relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel is in the midst of his 17th season in MLB. Despite some inconsistent results, Kimbrel has found a new major league home.

The Kansas City Royals are signing Craig Kimbrel to a major league contract, via Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He didn’t get the kindest of welcomes upon his arrival.

“Reminds me of the old Royals who signed washed up players like Killebrew, Colavito and Perry,” Enos49 wrote.

“What the hell are teams seeing in him??” Optimistic Pessimist asked.

“Amazing, he keeps finding teams to sign him,” Mike Warren added. “He has been horrible for years.”

Kimbrel will have a solid case to make the Hall of Fame when it is all said and done. He is a nine-time All-Star, a former Rookie of the Year and a World Series champion. Furthermore, Kimbrel’s 440 saves are the fifth-most all-time. His 2.67 ERA and 1,314/362 K/BB ratio will only bolster his case as well.

However, the past few seasons have been a struggle for the reliever as he has tried to find a long-term home. He put up a 5.33 ERA in 2024 over 57 appearances in 2024 and only saw 11 major league innings in 2025. During the 2026 campaign, splitting time between the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays, Kimbrel has registered a 4.81 ERA and a 32/16 K/BB ratio over his 33 outings.

At 49-70, the Royals aren’t competing for a playoff spot, meaning the pressure will be off Kimbrel to immediately come in and be a true difference maker. But at the same time, if the legendary relief pitcher can find his footing, maybe Kansas City is the landing spot he has been looking for all along.

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