Mets sign Craig Kimbrel, Austin Barnes to minors deals

Field Level Media|published: Thu 29th January, 16:02 2026

Sep 7, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The New York Mets signed reliever Craig Kimbrel and catcher Austin Barnes to minor league contracts on Thursday with invitations to spring training.

Terms were not disclosed, but The Athletic previously reported that Kimbrel will earn a base salary of $2.5 million if he makes the major league roster.

Kimbrel, 37, was 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA last season in 14 appearances split between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros.

He has 440 career saves, second only to Kenley Jansen's 476 among active major league pitchers and fifth all-time. Mariano Rivera (652 saves), Trevor Hoffman (601) and Lee Smith (478) are in the Hall of Fame.

Kimbrel was the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year and is a nine-time All-Star who has played for nine teams, compiling a 56-48 record with a 2.58 ERA and 1.020 WHIP in 851 career games. He has struck out 1,282 batters in 821 2/3 innings, an average of 14.0 per nine innings.

Barnes, 36, is coming off his second World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the only team he has played for in his 11-year career. He batted .214 with two RBIs in 13 games last season and is a career .223 hitter with 35 homers and 162 RBIs in 612 games.

--Field Level Media

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