Brewers reportedly in ‘serious’ talks with Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel remains a free agent with just over a week to go until Opening Day, but there appears to be some momentum toward him potentially signing with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jon Heyman of Fancred reports that contract negotiations between Kimbrel and the Brewers have gotten “pretty serious.”

Brewers talks with Craig Kimbrel are pretty serious I hear. They already had the best pen last year, so this would be strengthening a strength @ken_rand @ByRobertMurray 1st mentioned

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 20, 2019

Kimbrel is one of the best closers in baseball history, and he went 5-1 with 42 saves and a 2.74 ERA last season for the Boston Red Sox. He may be asking for a bit more than teams are willing to spend this offseason, and there have been rumblings that he is open to sitting out a season rather than signing a below-market deal.

Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who was outstanding as the team’s closer in 2018, is beginning the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. That likely explains why Milwaukee is interested in adding Kimbrel.