The rumored reliever options for the Chicago Cubs keep going off the board. Including the best mustache.
The latest to sign elsewhere is former Brewers closer-turned-reclamation-project John Axford, who has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Indians. Although terms aren’t yet known, it’s expected to be a one-year deal (though the Indians can retain him for two years thereafter via arbitration). The Indians were hard into the market for an economic closer option, and, given their competitive future, it’s understandable that Axford would prefer them to the Cubs, depending on how the money shakes out. At $3 million or so, you are permitted to be fairly annoyed by this. I will be.
Back to the well for the Cubs, who are rumored to be in on Joaquin Benoit, who is still technically available. Beyond him, the Cubs could look to reclamation types like Jesse Crain or Chris Perez, each of whom could be interesting in his own way on the right deal.