Cubs in agreement with Craig Kimbrel 3/$43m with 4th year option

[Banedon]

https://theathletic.com/1005863/2019/06/01/rosenthal-an-unexpected-event-might-be-spurring-the-cubs-interest-in-craig-kimbrel/?source=weeklyemail

 

The Cubs are showing interest in Kimbrel, according to major-league sources. An unexpected event – the continued absence of super-utility man Ben Zobrist, 38, who is on the restricted list while going through a divorce from his wife, Julianna – might be creating greater financial flexibility for the club.

 

If he remains inactive all season – “I have to think that way, absolutely,” manager Joe Maddon told the Chicago-Sun Times this week – the Cubs potentially would save more than $9 million.

 

For now, the Cubs are doing background work on Kimbrel and trying to figure out whether such a move would be financially viable, sources say.

 

The luxury tax is thought to be less of an issue for the Cubs, but the credit they would receive on Zobrist should enable them to sign Kimbrel and acquire additional bullpen help while still remaining below the third and highest $246 million threshold.

[PackLandVA]

[ConstableRabbit]

What is Kimbrel even looking for/expecting?

 

He just turned 31. His last deal was 4/42 (ended up becoming 5/55 due to team option).

 

Going into 2019, there aren't a lot of great comps for Kimbrel, with the closest guys being older and not quite as good: Miller (2/25), Ottavino (3/27), Robertson (2/23). Britton (3/39) is the same age, but not as good. Indicates that the market still values youth.

 

Going into 2018, there were a lot of FA RP signings with a wide range of results across the contract size spectrum: Wade, Shaw, Gregerson, Neshek, Reed, Cishek come to mind. Wade's (3/52) profile is most similar to Kimbrel's from that group but not perfect -- a little younger at the time of signing, but just not as good.

 

Going into 2017, there was of course Jansen (5/80) and Chapman (5/86), both of whom aren't great comps, either: they were better than Kimbrel and 2 years younger at the time of signing.

 

With that, we're left with Wade's 3/52, Britton's 3/39 and the 5/80s of Jansen/Chapman. I can't imagine a 31 year old RP is going to get 4-5 years in this environment, even though Kimbrel was apparently looking for that. He's also going to sit out half the season, which isn't insignificant from his standpoint: even if he'd signed Britton's deal, he's out $6.5m. Without knowing the best deal he turned down, does 3/42 do it? Does he even get that offer from anyone at this point?

[Banedon]

What is Kimbrel even looking for/expecting?

 

He just turned 31. His last deal was 4/42 (ended up becoming 5/55 due to team option).

 

Going into 2019, there aren't a lot of great comps for Kimbrel, with the closest guys being older and not quite as good: Miller (2/25), Ottavino (3/27), Robertson (2/23). Britton (3/39) is the same age, but not as good. Indicates that the market still values youth.

 

Going into 2018, there were a lot of FA RP signings with a wide range of results across the contract size spectrum: Wade, Shaw, Gregerson, Neshek, Reed, Cishek come to mind. Wade's (3/52) profile is most similar to Kimbrel's from that group but not perfect -- a little younger at the time of signing, but just not as good.

 

Going into 2017, there was of course Jansen (5/80) and Chapman (5/86), both of whom aren't great comps, either: they were better than Kimbrel and 2 years younger at the time of signing.

 

With that, we're left with Wade's 3/52, Britton's 3/39 and the 5/80s of Jansen/Chapman. I can't imagine a 31 year old RP is going to get 4-5 years in this environment, even though Kimbrel was apparently looking for that. He's also going to sit out half the season, which isn't insignificant from his standpoint: even if he'd signed Britton's deal, he's out $6.5m. Without knowing the best deal he turned down, does 3/42 do it? Does he even get that offer from anyone at this point?

 

Kimbrel, who according to sources wants a multi-year contract, turned down the Red Sox’s qualifying offer of $17.9 million last November. As recently as mid-April, according to sources, he was seeking a three-year deal in the $39 million to $52 million range. It is unclear whether he would command that price as an unrestricted free agent.

[The_Achiever]

T’would be awesome.

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cubs are showing interest in Kimbrel, according to major-league sources. An unexpected event – the continued absence of super-utility man Ben Zobrist, 38, who is on the restricted list while going through a divorce from his wife, Julianna – might be creating greater financial flexibility for the club.

 

horsefeathering baseball is broken. Go drop dead, Ricketts.

[Bote McBoteface]

Wait...Zobrist might be inactive all season? I....hadnt even thought of that possibility.

 

Either way get Kimbrell asap and then like 5 more relievers too because im tired of being certain we’re gonna lose any time it comes down to a bullpen game.

[Banedon]

Wait...Zobrist might be inactive all season? I....hadnt even thought of that possibility.

 

Either way get Kimbrell asap and then like 5 more relievers too because im tired of being certain we’re gonna lose any time it comes down to a bullpen game.

 

There's been speculation he may retire. But nobody really knows anything.

[Bertz]

Sign Kimbrel and trade for Will Smith:

 

CL - Kimbrel

SU - Smith, Strop

MR - Cishek, Kintzler, Ryan, Brach

LR - Chatwood

 

That's maybe the best Non-Yankee bullpen in the league, and leaves Montgomery to be used either in the Smith trade or in a deal for some outfield help. And if Morrow were by some miracle to come back good lord.

[Post Count Padder]

Is it after Round 1 of the draft or after the draft completes that no compensation would be tied to Kimbrel? Because seeing him pitch next week for us would be pretty cool.

[Andy]

Is it after Round 1 of the draft or after the draft completes that no compensation would be tied to Kimbrel? Because seeing him pitch next week for us would be pretty cool.

Midnight tomorrow night, I read.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Yep, 12:01 am ET on 6/3.

[17 Seconds]

The Cubs are showing interest in Kimbrel, according to major-league sources. An unexpected event – the continued absence of super-utility man Ben Zobrist, 38, who is on the restricted list while going through a divorce from his wife, Julianna – might be creating greater financial flexibility for the club.

 

this quote pretty much sums up the state of the cubs organization

[Post Count Padder]

Cool so we get him signed at 12:02 am right?

[Forgotmyoldlogin]

Does this even make sense to do? I feel like even with Kimbrel there's a good chance the Cubs won't make the playoffs but Tom will use his contract as an excuse for why they don't sign anyone again next year.

[CyHawk_Cub]

That ship has already sailed. They'll excuse not spending money, other than nibbling on the edges Descalso-style, no matter what. IOW, Kimbrel probably ain't happening unless he's even cheaper than reported lately.

[UMFan83]

Does this even make sense to do? I feel like even with Kimbrel there's a good chance the Cubs won't make the playoffs but Tom will use his contract as an excuse for why they don't sign anyone again next year.

 

A few things...if the Cubs don’t improve the pen that 50% chance of making the playoffs turns into a 20% chance IMO. But if you don’t make the playoffs you will likely have him for 2 more years. And Zo was gonna be a FA anyways so Kimbrel just eats up his contract. The Cubs have $40 mil coming off the books besides Zobrist...of course with that you have to pay for arb raises and replace Hamels, Strop, Cishek and Kintzler. Hopefully Happ contributes this year and can have a Zobrist role in ‘20.

 

And the other thing is...if the Cubs don’t make the playoffs this year I’m not sure the offseason will be about spending money to improve anyways. We will likely see multiple trades of MLB guys

[Deeg]

I could see Kimbrel getting about $34m ($8m for the rest of this season, about $26m for ‘20-21). But I think that’s still too rich for PTR’s blood.

 

I’m not convinced signing Kimbrel gets us into the postseason this year, because we have some other significant issues. But it still makes more sense than trading prospects to rent a closer, because you’d have Kimbrel for two more years. Two years with a lot of money coming off the books and, theoretically, money coming in from the Sinclair deal with the devil.

[Cubswin11]

I could see Kimbrel getting about $34m ($8m for the rest of this season, about $26m for ‘20-21). But I think that’s still too rich for PTR’s blood.

I think this is about what he gets, $6-8 mil base for the year with incentives for saves or games finished that could take it to $10-12 mil then a 2 year player option for next year and 21' for around $30 mil total. Or two consecutive players options like $13 mil for next year and $18 for 21 or something like that. Just horsefeathering sign him though, then make a trade (even if it's just like Tony Watson). Kimbrel/Strop/Cishek/Watson/Brach/Kintzler/Chatwood/1 Iowa shuttle or IL spot of Ryan/Carl/Maples/Wick/Norwood/Barnette/Cedeno/etc. is a solid pen.

[SouthSideRyan]

I wonder how much of Kimbrel's contract we'll have to eat when we trade him next offseason in order to afford Russell's arb raise.

[Sammy Sofa]

I’m not convinced signing Kimbrel gets us into the postseason this year, because we have some other significant issues. But it still makes more sense than trading prospects to rent a closer, because you’d have Kimbrel for two more years. Two years with a lot of money coming off the books and, theoretically, money coming in from the Sinclair deal with the devil.

 

That's the big appeal for me; I'm all for trading what few prospects they have, but doing it for relievers is lame as hell. If you're going to empty the cupboard, do it for a bat or a starting pitcher, and not for some damn relief pitchers. Just spend the money, you cheap jerks.

[Bote McBoteface]

Its been 10 hours since he had a draft pick attached. Hurry up and sign him.

[Backtobanks]

Its been 10 hours since he had a draft pick attached. Hurry up and sign him.

 

 

The problem is that he hasn't reduced his asking price in those 10 hours.

[NewUserName]

Its been 10 hours since he had a draft pick attached. Hurry up and sign him.

 

 

The problem is that he hasn't reduced his asking price in those 10 hours.

 

He probably went higher

[Banedon]

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