Kimbrel Signs 3-Year, $43 Million Deal with Cubs

Craig Kimbrel will pitch in 2019 after all. He has signed a three year, $43 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

The agreement comes following the conclusion of the 2019 MLB Draft. Had Kimbrel signed with a team before today they would lose a draft pick to the Boston Red Sox as compensation. With that hurdle cleared, Kimbrel made the deal with the Cubs.

Kimbrel, who turned 31 last month, enters the 2019 season with 333 saves recorded over nine seasons with the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox. He is a 7-time All-Star who earned his first World Series last year with the Red Sox despite struggles during the post-season while enduring mocking from Mary Hart. Kimbrel declined a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox on November 12, 2018. No one thought it would take more than six months for Kimbrel to sign with a new team.

Kimbrel finds himself in a good situation at Wrigley Field. The Cubs currently have a three game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. However, the Cubs have lacked a lockdown closer. Steve Cishek currently leads the club with six saves (most recently tonight as the Cubs prevailed over the Colorado Rockies 9-8) while Pedro Strop has five. It isn't clear when Kimbrel will formally join the club as he must pass a physical.

But with Kimbrel now off the market, the question remains as to what uniform free agent starter Dallas Keuchel will wear. Keuchel, who has pitched his entire professional career with the Houston Astros, is reportedly weighing offers from both the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.