Craig Kimbrel's tenure with the New York Mets is shaping into a narrative of stark contrasts, marked by significant setbacks and glimpses of past dominance. Despite a career's worth of high-leverage experience, the veteran reliever's recent performances raise questions about his present efficacy, even as management expresses cautious optimism. His struggles culminated recently in a blown save, a grand slam off his arm, that handed the Rockies a victory and ballooned his earned run average to a concerning 7.56, a far cry from the 2.58 career mark.
The latest blow came on Thursday, when Jake McCarthy connected for a game-deciding grand slam off Kimbrel in the eighth inning. This defeat, which snapped a six-game losing streak for the Colorado Rockies, pushed Kimbrel's personal record to 0-2 on the season. Prior to this, Kimbrel had faced other difficulties, including a blown save against the Chicago Cubs and allowing at least one hit in many of his outings.
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Signs of Struggle Amidst High-Leverage Moments
Kimbrel, approaching his 38th birthday, joined the Mets on a minor league deal earlier this year, hoping to revive a career that saw him removed from the Baltimore Orioles' roster where he posted a 5.33 ERA over 52.1 innings. With the Mets, his statistics have been erratic. Despite a small sample size, some observations suggest his best performances have occurred in high-pressure situations, a familiar territory for the reliever who boasts 440 career saves. However, this has been overshadowed by recent struggles.
Manager Carlos Mendoza has publicly acknowledged Kimbrel's continued efforts to improve, noting positive signs like better fastball life and improved breaking ball command during spring training. He expressed that Kimbrel is "sharp" and "continues to get better," yet the results on the field paint a more complicated picture.
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A History of Dominance Now Under Scrutiny
Kimbrel's past accomplishments are undeniable. He has been a nine-time All-Star and entered the season as the active career saves leader. His history against the Mets themselves is particularly notable, having dominated them while pitching for rivals like the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, where he held a remarkably low 1.38 ERA against them. This history made his acquisition a point of interest, with the hope that the "former nemesis" could still contribute.
However, the immediate past paints a less flattering portrait. Before joining the Mets, he pitched 71 games for the Phillies, accumulating 23 saves with a 3.26 ERA. His time with the Orioles saw him register 23 saves as well, but with a significantly higher ERA. The Mets selected Kimbrel to the major league roster about a month ago, a move that followed his debut for Single-A St. Lucie where he reportedly touched 94.2 mph.
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This period of adjustment, with its highs and lows, is unfolding under the watchful eyes of management and a fanbase grappling with the team's current trajectory.
