Bullpen adds relief by landing closer Kimbrel
Cubs agree to deal with 7-time All-Star closer Kimbrel
A bullpen that looked like a weak link for the Cubs much of the first two months of the season got a facelift in the last two days that suddenly makes it look like one of the strongest groups in the league.
One day after activating interim closer Pedro Strop from the injured list, the Cubs on Wednesday agreed to terms with premier free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel on a threeyear, $43 million contract, pending a physical, sources confirmed.
“That’s awesome. That’s fantastic. That just makes us that much tougher,” infielder David Bote said after a seven-RBI performance in the Cubs’ 9-8 victory over the Rockies.
“It’s like ’16 when we got [Aroldis] Chapman,” reliever Carl Edwards Jr. said of the trade that helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series. “I’m excited.”
It’s unclear when the seven-time All-Star will be ready to close for the Cubs. He last pitched for the Red Sox in the World Series against the Dodgers last October.
“It’s like getting a gift on Christmas morning and having to wait a week or so to open it before he’s here,” Cubs ace Jon Lester said.
“It’s a huge shot in the arm for us.”
The Cubs landed Kimbrel despite heavy pursuit by other teams and at least one higher offer by a rival, according to a major-league source.
“The more, the merrier, especially for a guy like that,” said setup man Brandon Kintzler, a former All-Star closer who has been part of a mix-and-match late-inning crew for the Cubs this season.
“The goal is to get a ring,” he said.
Until recently, the Cubs did not have the flexibility in their payroll budget to make as strong an offer for Kimbrel.
With no increase in the budget from ownership, the key was Ben Zobrist’s indefinite personal leave, which is in its second month with no indication of when — or if — he’ll return.
“There are always unknowns that come up during the season that can impact your financial picture,” team president Theo Epstein said before the game — just before news of the agreement broke. “This year in particular there’ve been unexpected variables that could possibly
give us a little more flexibility than we imagined.”
Epstein would not talk about specifics related to Zobrist or the related financial impact.
But with Zobrist on the restricted list, the Cubs already have recouped more than $2 million of his $12.5 million salary, with more than $9 million total possible if Zobrist does not return.
Despite some speculation that insurance on injured closer Brandon Morrow’s contract could provide enough of a windfall to impact an offer, indications are that is not the case.
Kimbrel lingered on the freeagent market as he sought a multiyear contract after turning down a $17.9 million qualifying offer, which attached draft-pick compensation to a signing.
The compensation requirement expired on the eve of this week’s draft, which re-opened Kimbrel’s market.
Kimbrel, 31, has 333 career saves, a 1.91 career ERA and an upper-90s fastball that has helped him pile up 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings in his career.
“It’s definitely a boost for us,” first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “We’re trying to win the last game of the season this year, the World Series. It’s not just, ‘Get to the playoffs and hope for the best.’ Our expectations are set through the roof.”
The deal pays Kimbrel $10 million this year, $16 million each of the next two seasons and includes a vesting option for 2022 (with a $1 million buyout).
Strop said he welcomes a return to a setup role if it means adding Kimbrel.
“It’s all about winning,” he said. Contributing: