The Braves arbitration bid on super closer Craig Kimbrel of $6.55 million was purposely higher than expected to give them the best chance to win, sources have told the New York Post. Kimbrel is asking for $9 million.
The retirement of Mariano Rivera could leave Kimbrel as the most accomplished and premier closer in the sport. He has averaged 46 saves in the last three seasons with 341 strikeouts in 207 innings.