Craig Kimbrel, one of the most decorated closers in Major League Baseball history, has agreed to a Minor League contract with the New York Mets that includes an invitation to spring training, according to reporting from Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
At 37 years old, Kimbrel is chasing one final opportunity to prove he still belongs in the Majors. With 440 career saves—fifth all-time and second among active closers behind Kenley Jansen—the future Hall of Famer is fighting to salvage what has become an increasingly troublesome final chapter of an otherwise legendary career.
Craig Kimbrel Inks Minor League Deal with New York Mets
The deal marks a last-ditch effort for both player and team. For Kimbrel, it’s a chance to resurrect his Hall of Fame candidacy after a brutal 2024 season with the Baltimore Orioles and an inconsistent 2025 split between the Braves and Astros. For the Mets, it’s a low-risk gamble on veteran experience in a bullpen that’s undergone significant restructuring following the loss of closer Edwin Díaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Mets’ decision to sign Kimbrel speaks to both their needs and their willingness to take calculated gambles. New York lost closer Edwin Díaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the offseason. That departure created a void at the back end of the bullpen.
In December, the Mets signed closer Devin Williams to a three-year contract, reuniting him with his former Yankees teammate Luke Weaver in the process. Weaver signed a two-year deal, and he profiles as the setup man. Both are former Yankees who reportedly chose Queens over returning to the Bronx. It’s worth noting that both pitchers struggled mightily at different points in 2025.
Kimbrel’s Possible Mets’ Role in 2026
Kimbrel’s minor league deal with an invite to spring training is exactly what a veteran pitcher in his position needs: an opportunity to compete for a roster spot without the guarantee of one.
Kimbrel will compete for a spot on the Mets’ bullpen during spring training. If he makes the roster, he’ll likely serve in a middle-relief or low-leverage role, not as a closer. Williams is the closer. Weaver is the setup man. Minter and Raley provide left-handed depth. There simply isn’t a ninth-inning role waiting for Kimbrel.
The question is whether his aging arm can sustain that effectiveness over a full season. At 37, approaching 38 in May, shoulder durability, injury recovery time, and maintenance are constant concerns. The fact that he couldn’t find a major league deal until late January—weeks after most of the free-agent market had settled—suggests that teams don’t believe he’s a dependable option anymore.
If he doesn’t make the Mets’ roster, Kimbrel will either catch on with another team late in spring training or face the likelihood that his MLB career is over. At 37, the pool of organizations willing to invest in a veteran reliever with a declining track record is limited.
Likely Hall of Famer Signs Minor League Deal with Mets