When the Atlanta Braves designated Craig Kimbrel for assignment, it ignited a wave of opinions among fans, many of whom felt the franchise owed more to their former All-Star pitcher. It almost seemed like Kimbrel was abruptly plunged into uncertainty after making a brief appearance on the mound. However, not everyone is buying into that narrative.
Former general manager of the Montreal Expos and Florida/Miami Marlins, Dave Samson, shared his thoughts on the situation during a recent episode of his podcast, Nothing Personal. He suggested that fans may be reading too much into Kimbrel’s reaction. “For whatever reason, you’re under the impression that Craig Kimbrel was upset about this,” he stated, firmly asserting that the Braves communicated these decisions to him.
Samson explained that Kimbrel was likely in the loop regarding the mechanics of his minor league deal and the timeline for his call-up. Unlike many players who might be left in the dark about roster decisions, Kimbrel’s position afforded him a different level of communication. “You know he’s not gonna take advantage of your injured list,” Samson reminded listeners, underlining the importance of transparency with a player of Kimbrel’s caliber. The organization would’ve ensured that Kimbrel understood the situation, including the potential for a short-lived return.
While there’s never a guarantee that Kimbrel would be back for just one game, the Braves had to balance their roster management without committing publicly to a duration that was still up in the air. “There are a myriad of things that can happen that can screw up your roster management,” he added, emphasizing that fans aren’t typically privy to these day-to-day internal discussions.
That said, Samson had his own wishes for how the Braves might have navigated the situation. He suggested it would have been beneficial for the team to clarify to the public that Kimbrel was aware of the circumstances surrounding his designation. After all, transparency could ease some of the confusion and discontent among the fanbase. “I would like the Braves to have simply said, ‘Hey, yeah, we designated Craig Kimbrel. I know that sounds crazy, but Craig was aware the whole time what we were doing. We had a roster situation, and this is what made the most sense at this time,’” he remarked.
Additionally, Samson hinted that the Braves might have chosen to remain silent to avoid adding to the narrative of a struggling team. By not emphasizing Kimbrel’s situation, they could divert attention away from their recent on-field issues. “If they weren’t the bad guys here, you’d go back to focusing on how bad the team is doing,” he noted.
Despite the swirling discussion, the bottom line remains that Kimbrel got to don the Braves’ uniform one last time, pitching a scoreless inning against the San Francisco Giants. It was a bittersweet moment, possibly the final chapter of his story with Atlanta.
As fans reflect on Kimbrel’s legacy and the complexities of roster management, it’s a reminder that behind every designation and trade, there are intricate decisions being made—sometimes with more communication than we realize.
