Braves' all-time saves leader returning to Atlanta after nearly a decade

Additionally, ESPN's Jeff Passan noted that Kimbrel will make $2 million this season and is expected to join the Braves' bullpen after a late ramp-up.

Kimbrel, who will turn 37 in May, is Atlanta's all-time saves leader even though he hasn't been a Brave since 2014. The veteran closer notched 186 saves in his first five years with the club, leading all of MLB in saves between 2011 and 2014 as arguably the most dominant reliever of his time.

The Braves traded Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres in 2015, where he lasted just one season before spending the next three seasons with the Boston Red Sox. There, he helped contribute to a World Series title in 2018.

Kimbrel has also had stints with the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and most recently, the Baltimore Orioles.

Now, nearly 10 years after the Braves first dealt Kimbrel away, the two sides reunite. How can you not be romantic about baseball? 

In reality, though, the 36-year-old won't be doing much closing in Atlanta the second time around. Right-hander Raisel Iglesias is the incumbent closer and has been extremely effective since the Braves acquired him in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels in 2022, pitching to a 1.96 ERA (with 68 saves) since then. 

That should afford Kimbrel the luxury of building up at his leisure so that he can, at minimum, return to some type of late-game leverage role this season.

Until then, however, this is a great story for the Braves and their fans, who can welcome back a franchise legend with open arms in 2025.