Chicago Cubs Rumors: Phillies, Mets, Padres, Red Sox want Craig Kimbrel

Chicago Cubs: Teams interested in Craig Kimbrel – 1. San Diego Padres

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We finish this list with the San Diego Padres due to their aggressive nature in the past and the fact they are willing to blow past the luxury tax threshold. Kimbrel spent time with San Diego before heading to Boston in 2016. During his time in San Diego he posted a 2.58 ERA with 39 saves in 59 1/3 innings. ERA-wise, 2.58 was the fifth-worst mark of Kimbrel’s 12-year career thus far.

In terms of their bullpen, San Diego is already top notch, boasting a 3.02 ERA. Adding an arm like Kimbrel would strictly be a power move to help put themselves over the top but also to ensure no one else in the NL West gets him either, hence not caring about the luxury tax. With the recent addition of Adam Frazier, the Padres are probably far from done in terms of buying.

The Padres own the #6, #8, #31 and #46 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. They are top prospect and left-hander Mackenzie Gore, shortstop CJ Abrams, catcher Luis Campusano and promising young outfielder, Robert Hassell, the latter of which has the longest ETA from MLB, at 2023.

The San Diego Padres adding an arm like Kimbrel would be one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball with Melancon and the future Hall of Famer teaming up in the back end of the bullpen.