The Chicago Cubs have added some major help to their bullpen.
The Cubs have agreed to a deal with free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel that is pending a physical, as first reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Rosenthal had reported earlier on Wednesday that the Cubs were pushing hard to sign the former Boston Red Sox closer. The sides have agreed to a 3-year, $45 million deal.
Kimbrel, along with Dallas Keuchel, went the entire offseason unsigned and remained a free agent through the first two months of the season. Why is he now signing? The MLB Draft has passed, meaning players who turned down qualifying offers from their former team, as Kimbrel did, no longer have draft pick compensation attached to them. So the Cubs are not being penalized a draft pick by signing Kimbrel.
Another factor contributing to the move is the status of Ben Zobrist. Zobrist is on the restricted list while going through a divorce. His time away from the team is unpaid, which gives the Cubs some more financial flexibility to make an addition.
The Cubs currently rank eighth in the majors with a 4.02 bullpen ERA. It’s unclear how long Kimbrel might need before being ready to contribute to the Cubs. The 32-year-old had a 2.74 ERA and 42 saves last season.
