Projecting Where the Phillies' Top 4 Free Agents Will Sign This Offseason
By Tyler Maher
3. Craig Kimbrel: San Diego Padres
Phillies fans aren't going to miss Craig Kimbrel after his brutal performance during the NLCS, blowing back-to-back games with his late-inning meltdowns.
While Kimbrel has routinely struggled in the playoffs, some team out there will be willing to pay for his regular-season success. Kimbrel is coming off his ninth All-Star appearance after racking up 94 strikeouts in 69 innings last year, notching 23 saves with a 3.26 ERA.
One team that could use Kimbrel's services is the San Diego Padres. They're about to lose star closer Josh Hader to free agency as well and need a replacement who can lock down the end of games.
With 417 career saves to his name, Kimbrel is certainly qualified. He could also be open to reuniting with the Padres, as he spent the 2015 season with them before they traded him to the Boston Red Sox for a haul of prospects.
San Diego has signed a number of stars over the past few offseasons under A.J. Preller, and signing Kimbrel to a cheaper and shorter deal than the one Hader will get makes a lot of sense.