Craig Kimbrel declines qualifying offer from Red Sox

In what was seen as merely a formality, closer Craig Kimbrel rejected the Red Sox qualifying offer worth $17.9 million by the 5 p.m. Monday deadline.

The move doesn't preclude Kimbrel from re-signing with the Red Sox as a free agent, but does ensure that if he leaves and signs elsewhere, the Red Sox will received a draft pick after the fourth round in next June's amateur draft.

Of the seven major league free agents who were given qualifying offers earlier this month, only Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu accepted. That's in keeping with recent history, since only six players (of the 80 given qualifying offers) have accepted since the current system was introduced in 2012.

Kimbrel is viewed as the top reliever on the free agent market and has already attracted interest from the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. Kimbrel is looking for a multi-year commitment (likely four years or longer) from teams.

Acquired from the San Diego Padres after the 2015 season, Kimbrel has spent the last three seasons with the Red Sox, recording 108 saves and pitching to a 2.44 ERA. Kimbrel struggled mightily in the postseason with a 5.91 ERA in nine games, though he did manage to convert all six of his save opportunities.

If the Sox don't re-sign Kimbrel, they'll have to find a new closer from within their organization -- president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has mentioned Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier as two internal options -- or sign or trade for a closer. Andrew Miller, Zach Britton and Jeurys Familia are among the possibilities on the current free agent market.