Report: Craig Kimbrel Agrees to Three-Year, $45M Deal With Chicago Cubs
Former Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth roughly $45 million with the Chicago Cubs, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Kimbrel is a seven-time All-Star, including each of the past three seasons.
The veteran right-hander tallied 42 saves in 2018 with a 2.74 ERA. Kimbrel struck out 96 batters in 62 1/3 innings. He is a four-time saves leader, leading the National League each year from 2011-14 while with the Braves. Kimbrel won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2011 and finished in the top-10 of the NL Cy Young voting four times in five seasons while in Atlanta.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Kimbrel's deal includes a fourth-year option. Kimbrel will receive $10 million this year, and $16 million in both 2020 and 2021. A $1 million buyout on a club/vesting option is included on the fourth year of the contract.
Per The Athletic's Dan Hayes, the Minnesota Twins offered Kimbrel a two-year deal, but were unwilling to inlcude a third year.
Acquiring Kimbrel was tied to draft pick compensation until Monday, June 3 when the deadline passed for the Red Sox to receive a compensatory pick for the closer. After the deadline, any team was free to sign Kimbrel without forfeiting a pick in the draft, which began Monday night.
Kimbrel was expected to be signed soon after his free agency became unrestricted. The Cubs and Twins were among teams reportedly interested in signing Kimbrel after the deadline, along with the Braves, Brewers, Phillies and Rays.
