MLB GM thinks Craig Kimbrel is going to the Philadelphia Phillies

One of the biggest names set to be available at this year’s trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies have been connected to the likes of closer Craig Kimbrel quite frequently over the past few weeks. After all, the team’s biggest need is undoubtedly relief pitching, and current Phillies president Dave Dombrowski has already traded for the current Cubs right-hander once before.

Thus far, however, the smoke surrounding the Phillies interest in Kimbrel has been just that — smoke. There’s been little indication that owner John Middleton would be willing to go over the luxury tax to afford someone like Kimbrel (he’s on a $16 million salary), and the expectation is that Chicago is going to be asking for a rather impressive prospect package in return.

Kimbrel is having the best year of his career (0.53 ERA, 21 saves), and is under contract through 2022 via a team option. You could make the argument that the rebuilding Cubs would rather not carry his salary past this year, but there’s still little pressure to deal him in the immediate future. Hanging onto him until the offseason is still a possibility should they fail to receive an offer that suits their liking.

With all of that said, at least one current MLB general manager thinks the Phillies are actually one of the more likely landing spots for the 8x All-Star.

In a recent radio interview with SportsRadio 94WIP’s Joe Giglio, MLB insider Bob Nightengale communicated that a GM had recently told him to “watch Craig Kimbrel end up on the Phillies or Giants.”

At least one MLB general manager views the Philadelphia Phillies as a frontrunner to land closer Craig Kimbrel.

It’s already been communicated by Dave Dombrowski himself (in a recent interview with NBC Sports’ John Clark) that the Philadelphia Phillies are in fact looking to buy at this year’s trade deadline due to their recent run of good form, and one can only assume that he will be heavily gauging the closing pitcher market. Ranger Suarez is the latest Phillies pitcher to assume closer duties, but he’s in all honesty better suited to be a long-reliever.

Having an established veteran in that ninth inning role should have a positive “trickle down” effect on the rest of the team’s ‘pen.

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When it comes to potentially landing Kimbrel, it’s simply going to come down to what other teams are offering for him, and how willing the Cubs are to part ways with their All-Star closer. The Phillies don’t have a lot to offer in terms of physical prospects (they have the 23rd ranked farm system), but they do have the potential to offer salary relief. A recent report suggested that ownership would in fact be willing to exceed the luxury tax this year if it meant acquiring a serious difference-maker.

Taking on the entirety of Kimbrel’s remaining salary would allow Dombrowski to offer lesser rated prospects in return.

The trade deadline is in 11 days, and I would definitely expect more noise to pop up in regards to Kimbrel and Philadelphia.