Craig Kimbrel of course looked incredible after leaving NY Mets in debut with Rays

Craig Kimbrel was a disaster for the New York Mets this season. He recorded a 6.00 ERA in 15 innings, providing less value than a replacement-level reliever during his time in Carlos Mendoza's bullpen. His release was more than justified.

He wound up agreeing to a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, which immediately should have sounded the alarm bells. The AL East leaders are a widely renowned pitching factory, known for turning even the most obscure arms into household names. What could they unlock with a future Hall of Famer on the back nine of his career?

Well, that question was answered emphatically in Kimbrel's debut with his new team. The 38-year-old struck out two Orioles during a scoreless frame, producing a -0.92 FIP that defies conventional wisdom.

Of course, the sample is incredibly tiny. Kimbrel had some nice outings with the Mets as well, including his April 28 appearance when he struck out the side against the Washington Nationals.

But that success was few and far between. With the Rays, it just feels like he's on the cusp of recovering his dominant form of yesteryear.

Craig Kimbrel's electric debut with Rays doesn't change the fact that Mets are better off without him

Before we do too much pining, it's worth establishing the fact that the Mets are better off without Kimbrel. A.J. Minter finally made his 2026 debut this week, adding another reliable left-hander to join Brooks Raley in the bullpen. It's better the roster spot goes to him rather than Kimbrel.

Likewise, the Mets' bullpen has been the best part of the team by far this year, and it's really come into its own this month. Behind huge turnarounds from Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, the relief corps ranks fifth in the league in ERA (2.54), third in fWAR (1.7), and fifth in strikeout rate (25.3%) in May. If any part of the team is absolved of blame for the team's poor record, it's that unit.

But the version of Kimbrel we saw in his Rays debut is far different than the one the Mets designated for assignment. His fastball velocity averaged 94.3 miles per hour, up nearly one full tick. He also went back to his signature knuckle curve more frequently, generating a huge 33% whiff rate with the pitch (compared to just 7% in New York).

Again, the sample is small. And it's not like the Rays -- who officially signed him the same day he made his debut with the team -- had ample opportunity to work with him and overhaul his deficincies. But something changed in Kimbrel, even if it was just an extra chip added to his shoulder.

Hopefully this won't become yet another decision David Stearns comes to regret.

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