The Chicago Cubs today introduced their big new free agent signing, closer Craig Kimbrel. It is very fun.
You can watch below, together with some of the more important/interesting bits I took away:
We signed Craig Kimbrel, by the way. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/5zkzORu6oD
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 7, 2019
It’s official. pic.twitter.com/AgBYNLbiBs
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 7, 2019
Cubs viewed Kimbrel as the single best option they could get out there to help improve the bullpen. (Agreed.)
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 7, 2019
Cubs sent David Ross to watch Kimbrel's last bullpen before signing. Ross had experience catching Kimbrel (first ever to catch him in the big leagues). Must've been a good report.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 7, 2019
Kimbrel will throw a bullpen tomorrow, then head to Arizona for a condensed spring training.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 7, 2019
Kimbrel will officially be optioned to AAA Iowa (though heading to Arizona to ramp up), and Iowa is likely where he'll do his minor league stint. Still TBD, though.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 7, 2019
Kimbrel feels very good and strong right now, though he said he had to back off his workouts a bit because he started to become "a football player." đź’Ş
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 7, 2019
Kimbrel gets a little emotional thanking his family and friends through the process of getting to where he is now.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 7, 2019
Theo says Kimbrel's presence does not in any way impact Zobrist's future. The Cubs would love to see him back, but that's totally up to him. The situations are not related at all in terms of Zobrist's future.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 7, 2019