Cubs sign Craig Kimbrel (3 years / $43 million)

[patrickgpe]

pretty sure it had more to do with teams not wanting to give up a pick rather than the required years / money.

[Jopal78]

pretty sure it had more to do with teams not wanting to give up a pick rather than the required years / money.

 

I seem to recall the rumors that he was seeking a 100 million dollar contract when free agency started, so probably a combination of both draft pick compensation and inflated contract demands.

 

For a chuckle, keep in mind the Cubs also paid Morrow 12 million dollars this year. (And they got approximately 22 innings from Morrow over the life of his 2/22 million dollar contract).

[jjfanec]

Kimbrel is sporting an almost 26% HR/FB ratio. For a not small sample, that is insane. His K rate is slightly down but his walk rate and other advanced stats are pretty close to his averages. He has given up 14 XBH out of 21 hits including 9 homers. When he gets hit, he gets hit HARD.

 

I doubt Kimbrel is this bad going forward, but he likely wont be an elite level closer and he has injury issues. The Cubs are going to have some serious pitching issues the next couple years. Hamels is a free agent. Lester wasnt good this year. Neither was Quintana (except against the Brewers) but the Cubs will exercise his option. Darvish was really good down the stretch. He could actually opt out of his but cant see anyway he does it.

 

Then throw in a bullpen where their best guys are free agents and you have some serious work to do.

 

They are paying an aging and ineffective close, and two aging starters who era's over 4.5 - 46 million dollars next year. The next year quintana is gone but they will be paying lester and kimbrel 41 million!