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Rays to Sign Former Mets Veteran Reliever to MLB Contract
- On Tuesday, relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel signed a major league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, just four days after the New York Mets designated him for assignment when he refused a minor league assignment.
- Kimbrel's brief stint with the Mets proved unsuccessful, posting a 6.00 ERA across 14 appearances with no saves in 15 innings as he turns 38 later this week.
- The nine-time All-Star ranks fifth all-time in saves with 440, second among active players behind Kenley Jansen's 483, and led the National League in saves for four consecutive seasons with Atlanta starting with his 2011 Rookie of the Year campaign.
- Tampa Bay leads the American League East but needs bullpen reinforcement; the Rays played 13 innings Monday before losing 9-7 to Baltimore, with Bryan Baker recording 14 saves and others including Ian Seymour filling gaps.
- Joining his 11th major league team in an 11-year career, Kimbrel demonstrates continued determination despite declining fastball velocity averaging 93.6 mph, though his recent inconsistency suggests uncertainty about his long-term fit with Tampa Bay.
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Tampa Bay Expresses Frustration as Rays Make Surprising Move With Outcasted Mets Pitcher
The Rays’ bullpen has struggled significantly early in the 2026 season. Relievers have repeatedly surrendered inherited runners and given up crucial late-inning home runs, forcing manager Kevin Cash to shuffle arms frequently. The front office is also doing its part, but their addition that involves an outcast Mets veteran may have ruffled a few feathers of the fans. “Rays in agreement with reliever Craig Kimbrel on major-league deal, source tel…
Associated Press News+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Craig Kimbrel pitches a scoreless inning in his Rays debut after signing a major league deal
Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless inning in his debut for the Tampa Bay Rays a few hours after the right-handed reliever was signed to a major league contract.
·New York, United States
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·New York, United States
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Total News Sources41
Leaning Left13Leaning Right5Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 38%
R 17%
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