3 Teams That Need to Sign Craig Kimbrel Immediately

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Here we are more than a month into the MLB season and Craig Kimbrel is still enjoying games from the confines of his own home. What gives?

Kimbrel has been one of the best closers in the game in recent years, but teams weren't willing to fork over the big bucks during the offseason to ink him. Now, it's time for front offices to get serious and go after the hard-throwing righty. Here's a look at three teams who need to pick up the phone ASAP.

3. Chicago Cubs

After Chicago Cubs' reliever Brandon Morrow underwent elbow surgery last November, the hope was that he'd be able to make his way back to the bump shortly after the 2019 season started. However, Morrow recently suffered a setback and there's no timetable for when he'll be good to go. In the ever-competitive NL Central, having a dominant and trustworthy closer is a must. So, there's no time for the Cubs to be playing around here.

2. Atlanta Braves

Last but not least, we can't forget about the Atlanta Braves. This is the team many expected Kimbrel to sign with over the summer, but things never panned out. The Braves are trailing the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East and their bullpen has been a major disappointment. A.J. Minter has seen a nightmare start to the season with a 9.82 ERA, while Arodys Vizcaíno underwent shoulder surgery that has placed him on the 60-day IL. This team needs a dominant arm to come in and make a statement each night. Kimbrel suited up for the Braves from 2010-14, and it could be time to bring him back to his first MLB home in Atlanta.

1. Tampa Bay Rays

For the first time in what feels like 20 years, the Tampa Bay Rays are a legitimate threat and have one of the more intriguing teams in the American League. Locked into a tight race in the AL East with the New York Yankees, the Rays appear to have all the tools to win the division. Already holding one of the top bullpens in the AL, adding Kimbrel could truly send this team over the top. In a recent article, the Tampa Bay Times reported the club has 'kept in touch' with Kimbrel's representatives as well.

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