For Red Sox fans hoping the team will have a change of heart and bring back ace closer Craig Kimbrel, team chairman Tom Werner put some long odds on that Monday.
"I think it's extremely unlikely," Werner said (via MLB.com).
Never say never, but it doesn't appear the Red Sox are looking to re-sign Kimbrel, who is a free agent and is still seeking a team.
Kimbrel, a seven-time All-Star who saved 108 games for Boston the past three seasons, earned $13 million last year.
He's reportedly seeking a six-year contract worth more than $100 million. That would be a record for a closer, eclipsing the five-year, $86 million deal Aroldis Chapman signed with the Yankees in 2016.
That's a lot of money for a reliever, especially considering Red Sox stars such as Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Chris Sale and Rick Porcello will be eligible for free agency within the next couple of years. Boston already has the highest projected payroll in MLB for 2019, at $221 million, according to Spotrac.
RIght hander Matt Barnes is one prospect to step in as the team's closer in 2019. He is 20-14 with a 4.14 ERA in four-plus seasons in Boston's bullpen. Ryan Brasier, Tyler Thornburg and perhaps other candidates could emerge this spring.