Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Will Be A Free Agent

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 11: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox returns to the dugout during the ninth inning of the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 11, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox are currently home for the offseason.

Despite an impressive turnaround during the regular season, they got swept by the New York Yankees in the Wild Card Series.

Red Sox Champ Will Be A Free Agent

GettyCraig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout in the fourth inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on July 9, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.

It’s worth noting that a former Red Sox star will be a free agent this winter.

Craig Kimbrel (most recently with the Kansas City Royals) will be available to sign with any team in the MLB.

Kimbrel spent the 2026 season with the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays (and Royals).

GettyCraig Kimbrel #46 of the New York Mets pitches during the sixth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

While Kimbrel is one of the best closers in recent MLB history, he is nowhere near his prime at 38.

He went 1-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 46 games (with one save).

Looking At His Time In Boston

GettyCraig Kimbrel #46 and Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after beating the New York Yankees by a score of 4-3 to win Game Four American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

Kimbrel had an excellent run with the Red Sox during the middle of his career.

He spent three seasons with the franchise (2016-18).

In that span, Kimbrel made the All-Star Game every year.

They also won the 2018 World Series title over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

GettyCraig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox and the American League speaks with the media during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day ahead of the 88th MLB All-Star Game at Marlins Park on July 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

During the 2017 season, Kimbrel had 35 saves with a 1.43 ERA.

Looking At Kimbrel’s Other Stops

Kimbrel is most known for his time with the Atlanta Braves where he spent the first five seasons of his career (and later returned in 2025).

The nine-time All-Star has also played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.

Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.

He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar