The Red Sox have made a one-year, $17.9 qualifying offer to closer Craig Kimbrel ahead of today's 5 p.m. deadline, according to a source.
If Kimbrel, who turns 31 in May, declines the qualifying offer and becomes a free agent, the Red Sox would receive draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. He made $13.5 million this past season in the final year of his contract.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network and FanCred.com reports there's no chance of Kimbrel accepting the offer as he prefers a longer-term deal.
He had 42 saves but had a career-high 31 walks and struggled somewhat late in the season and in the postseason, where he had a 5.90 ERA and several shaky saves among his five he totaled in the Division Series, ALCS and World Series.
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