Kimbrel?

[brewmann04]

I have to think the Brewers are going to have look into krimbel. The Brewers should not be held hostage but need to make a decent offer to him.

[HiAndTight]

I have to think the Brewers are going to have look into krimbel. The Brewers should not be held hostage but need to make a decent offer to him.

 

I'd assume they've already made a pretty strong offer when it was reported it was down between the Braves and Brewers. My guess is they offered more than Wade Davis AAV, but they're not going to screw around with 3-4 years. 2 years max. 40 million for a reliever over 2 years is plenty. If he still has delusions of grandeur about getting 6/100, it's just not gonna happen. The Yanks won't do it, Boston has been clear about moving on, the Braves are notoriously cheap, especially given their income.

 

2/40 is frankly too much when you look at other deals, but to salvage the pen, I guess it's acceptable.

[HiAndTight]

Here's a crazy, implausible hypothetical. Would you rather sign Craig Kimbrel this year to a 2 year 42 million dollar deal or would you rather go with what we have, try to piece together a BP this year and then spend 180 over 6 years to sign Gerritt Cole next year as a FA? You potentially forgo adding that difference-making arm to the pen this year when we know we can contend, and instead go all in on a legitimate ace who'll be 28 years old next year.

 

I give Kimbrel about a 10 pct chance to happen and the later about a 2 pct chance...namely because I hate making absolute statements, but throwing out a hypothetical to show what signing him could potentially cost us.

[Montezuma]

Signing Kimbrel to a huge contract.... NO

[Eye Black]

This appears to be a new report from MassLive.com quoting Jon Morosi:

 

With the Brewers in need of a closer, Jon Morosi of MLB Network and Fox Sports is reporting that the Brewers and Kimbrel’s agent are talking.

 

“There are some ongoing conversations right now between the Brewers and Craig Kimbrel’s agent David Meter,” Morosi said. “The fit is obvious. It’s there. And it makes so much sense because right now it’s not just the Knebel situation the Brewers are worried about. They’re also without Jeremy Jeffress as well.”

[Brew crew 92]

This appears to be a new report from MassLive.com quoting Jon Morosi:

 

With the Brewers in need of a closer, Jon Morosi of MLB Network and Fox Sports is reporting that the Brewers and Kimbrel’s agent are talking.

 

“There are some ongoing conversations right now between the Brewers and Craig Kimbrel’s agent David Meter,” Morosi said. “The fit is obvious. It’s there. And it makes so much sense because right now it’s not just the Knebel situation the Brewers are worried about. They’re also without Jeremy Jeffress as well.”

 

Come on mark step up! Give stearns the ok to make nice COMPETITIVE pillow offer and get him in here.

[badgerbeerman81]

Can you explain what a pillow offer is? I've never heard that term and I've seen you mention it several times. Just curious.

[JohnBriggs12]

Put in poker terms, the Brewers are already pot committed. Now's the time to unleash some of the profits they made in low payroll seasons of 16 and 17. They aren't locked in to paying Grandal or Moose beyond this year. One or both may have to be sacrificed in future years, but right now this pen is lacking.

[Brew crew 92]

Can you explain what a pillow offer is? I've never heard that term and I've seen you mention it several times. Just curious.

 

A one year deal

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

It certainly is a positive to hear that there is still a dialogue between the two sides. I still say it's in the Brewers' best interest to not make a desperation long-term offer, though. At this point, without any Spring Training, the earliest I could see Kimbrel be ready is late April. Therefore, they need to offer him a contract that is conducive with him missing the first month of games. There's no way I'd go over $15 million. But that's just me.

[adambr2]

Yeah, no disrespect to the poster who shared this, but I'm not buying this one at all. Those numbers on the Brewers side don't make any sense. And the Kimbrel number that was used has been widely reported.

 

No offense taken at all - like I said friend of a friend, so I’m not sure if I believe it either. Figured it interesting enough to throw out there either way. But the *supposed* source is someone that would absolutely know what was offered.

 

I find it hard to believe too. The Brewers wouldn't have even been sure at the time if Knebel was going to be out for two years or just two months. Why would they have jumped in with any multi-year offer that late in the off-season when there still was complete uncertainty with Knebel?

 

I don't doubt the Brewers make an official offer but a two year offer just seems odd considering the timing. Now that Knebel is definitely out for this year and perhaps a big chunk of next year, now it would make sense if the Brewers threw a two-year offer out there.

 

For equal money, I'd still rather have Keuchel and then kick Woodruff or Burnes to the bullpen. But Boras is probably in 5 year, 125 million dollar dreamland with Keuchel.

 

While I doubted the rumor as well, I doubt the Brewers would have any problem offering 2/20 to Kimbrel regardless of the certainty on Knebel. Even if Knebel came back, it's not like you can ever have a logjam of good relievers.

[TURBO]

I find it amazing that professional baseball players without a contract (Kimbrel) are not staying in baseball shape and throwing enough to allow them to step onto a team and contribute right off the bat. I have seen a few comments that he wouldn't be ready until late April. I'm not disagreeing, just think it is ridiculous, if true, that he wouldn't be ready almost immediately. He has to be preparing with some sort of spring training regiment, right? If not, I am appalled.

[Brew crew 92]

It certainly is a positive to hear that there is still a dialogue between the two sides. I still say it's in the Brewers' best interest to not make a desperation long-term offer, though. At this point, without any Spring Training, the earliest I could see Kimbrel be ready is late April. Therefore, they need to offer him a contract that is conducive with him missing the first month of games. There's no way I'd go over $15 million. But that's just me.

 

One year 15 mil with mutual 20 3.5 buyout saves face everyone happy

 

Do you do that deal?

[Yellin4Yelich]

Just to compare some recent big RP signings

Adam Ottovino - 3 year 27 million (AAV = 9 mil)

Zach Britton - 3 year (AAV = 13 mil) - 39 million

Andew Miller - 2 year 25 million (AAV = 12.5 mil), with a 3rd year if he pitches >110 innings

Wade Davis - 3 year 52 million (AAV = 17.3 mil), 4 year vesting option if he pitches >30 games in the last year

Chapman - 5 year 86 million dollars (AAV = 17.2 mil)

Kenly Jansen 5 year 80 million (AAV = 16 mil)

 

I think kimbrel looking still looking for 5-6 year contact at 15-18 mil per year, which is the issue. This is his probably his last chance at a huge contract.

 

I think a 1 year 18 million contract would be a good deal for both sides (that would make him the highest AAV of any RP, and then the risk is lower for the team). Kimbrel would get another shot at the market next year

 

I wouldn't go any more than 3 years; I think the wade davis contract would be the most reasonable for a long-term deal, maybe a creative vesting option

 

Kimbrel scares me after seeing what happened to holland last year, obviously kimbrel is a better pitcher. Also, would not like to have a mark melancon contract for the next couple of years 4 year 62 million...

[Warning Track Power]

Put in poker terms, the Brewers are already pot committed. Now's the time to unleash some of the profits they made in low payroll seasons of 16 and 17. They aren't locked in to paying Grandal or Moose beyond this year. One or both may have to be sacrificed in future years, but right now this pen is lacking.

Interesting thought. I wonder if that money is available or if it were spent elsewhere. Perhaps the Maryvale renovation.

[Eye Black]

Put in poker terms, the Brewers are already pot committed. Now's the time to unleash some of the profits they made in low payroll seasons of 16 and 17. They aren't locked in to paying Grandal or Moose beyond this year. One or both may have to be sacrificed in future years, but right now this pen is lacking.

Interesting thought. I wonder if that money is available or if it were spent elsewhere. Perhaps the Maryvale renovation.

The public narrative has been that they spent their share of the BAMTech money on the Maryvale renovations. One of the investments that was credited with taking up some of the previous profits was the purchase of the Carolina Mudcats.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Too bad they couldn’t have dumped Thames or Chase or both and then invest in Kimbrel. I’m afraid our bullpen as currently built will not play in big time situations.

[adambr2]

Too bad they couldn’t have dumped Thames or Chase or both and then invest in Kimbrel. I’m afraid our bullpen as currently built will not play in big time situations.

 

Thames and Anderson are making $6M each this year. My personal opinion is that neither of those contracts is stopping Mark A. from getting Kimbrel if Stearns decides to pull the trigger.

[Boomer5]

Too bad they couldn’t have dumped Thames or Chase or both and then invest in Kimbrel. I’m afraid our bullpen as currently built will not play in big time situations.

 

I doubt anyone would have taken them even for free. We would have had to take at least some salary back.

 

But as the previous poster mentioned, MA isn’t holding up a deal like Kimbrel just for these two.

[adambr2]

Too bad they couldn’t have dumped Thames or Chase or both and then invest in Kimbrel. I’m afraid our bullpen as currently built will not play in big time situations.

 

I doubt anyone would have taken them even for free. We would have had to take at least some salary back.

 

But as the previous poster mentioned, MA isn’t holding up a deal like Kimbrel just for these two.

 

Probably with Thames. I think the Jay's had to eat 10M off the 12M Kendrys Morales contract to dump him.

 

I still don't think the Anderson deal is bad.

[rickh150]

If signing Kimbrel to a one or two year deal is option A, we are fairly sure that that tire has been kicked. What I surely hope is happening is exploring numerous other options via trade. Now, what would it take to get a top 100 reliever in April? We would have to be willing to part with respected prospects (Ray and change) not only to a team with little hope (Orioles, White Sox?) this season, the reliever would probably have to be at the end of his current contract; otherwise, why trade him?. Does anyone have knowledge of a few other talented back end types that would fit this description?

[pacopete4]

Here’s your Kimbrel Update.

[Brew crew 92]

Here’s your Kimbrel Update.

 

I believe him! Get er done!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Followed up quickly with a new "it's not gonna happen" story from Haudricourt.

 

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/columnists/tom-haudricourt/2019/03/30/haudricourt-brewers-unlikely-sign-craig-kimbrel/3302643002/

[adambr2]

I don't believe a word of most of what Haudricourt says, I think there are better insiders on this board than him.

 

That said, that's pretty much the answer I would expect Mark A to give if he had had any contact at all with Kimbrel or his agent. Technically honest, satisfying to the asker, but non-committal.