NEWSLETTER
Did I use enough capital letters there? Still feels like it needs more, because this is huge:
BREAKING: #Cubs in agreement with free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel, pending physical, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 6, 2019
Rosenthal reported earlier today that the Cubs were “pushing hard” for free agent closer Craig Kimbrel, and there must have been just a few details to work out – because now it’s reportedly happening.
Kimbrel, 31, reportedly sought the largest reliever contract in free agent history in the offseason, but when that market never developed and the waiting game extended well into the regular season, it became a cinch that he wouldn’t sign until this week’s draft. He does not cost the Cubs draft pick compensation.
Although he did suffer some command issues late in the year and in the postseason, Kimbrel was still very effective overall last year (and was absurdly dominant as recently as 2017). There is risk here, as we’ve discussed, and Kimbrel may ultimately be no more than a solid addition, but you gotta love the track record:
It will take several weeks for Kimbrel to be ready to roll in the Cubs’ bullpen, but once there, he will assume the closer’s duties. If he is the guy he can be, then this move not only helps the Cubs big time in the second half, it also sets them up to be GREATLY improved in the postseason.
UPDATE: As expected, Kimbrel wanted more than just a partial one-year deal:
Multi-year deal for Kimbrel with #Cubs, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 6, 2019
The Cubs have the money and the need beyond this year, so that’s just fine and dandy by me.
UPDATE 2: Even if this isn’t prorated in 2019 for the missed time, it’s still a very good roll of the dice for a guy like Kimbrel:
Kimbrel deal with #Cubs will be three years and close to $45M, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 6, 2019
And if it is prorated? Steal.
UPDATE 3: Jon Heyman has a slightly different number:
Kimbrel to Cubs, 43M 3 years
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 6, 2019
That suggests to me that the first year probably is a little bit less than the latter two years.
UPDATE 4: Jeff Passan with the full details, including an option for 2022:
If Craig Kimbrel's option in 2022 does not vest, the Cubs have a club option with a $1 million buyout, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 6, 2019
Basically, Kimbrel is getting $16 million per year on the deal, but this year’s chunk is prorated to $10 million because of the time he’s missing.
Good thing the #Cubs are getting this guy.
Boom. New shirt: https://t.co/cQXws7roHw pic.twitter.com/4hpVeAV16U
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS (@obvious_shirts) June 6, 2019
