Rosenthal: Kimbrel to the Cubs

[Seth Stohs]

No details yet, but Ken Rosenthal is saying that Craig Kimbrel has a deal with the Cubs:

 

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1136431087104798720 

 

How are you doing? Will you be OK... Support Group needed?

[Joe A. Preusser]

I wouldn't say no to a hug.

[lecroy24fan]

Dodged a bullet there.

[Danchat]

Well, let's wait until we see the numbers on the deal before panicking. Remember the last time the Cubs outbidded the Twins for a great pitcher?

 

I'm hoping for a couple midseason trades for relievers who are in the middle of having good seasons. I'd be happy and willing to ship some prospects off for some relievers / potentially a high-end starter.

[luckylager]

They outbid the Twins for Darvish.  Maybe this will be a blessing in disguise too. 

[gunnarthor]

I was pretty sure ownership wasn't going to increase payroll enough to sign Kimbrell or Kauechel. Give credit to the players and to the FO for competing despite ownership.

[Blake]

 

No details yet, but Ken Rosenthal is saying that Craig Kimbrel has a deal with the Cubs:

 

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1136431087104798720 

 

How are you doing? Will you be OK... Support Group needed?

Eh. 

 

I have a support octopus, so, I'm good.

[darin617]

It has to be a multi-year deal. I would have liked to see him just for the rest of the year.

 

So be it. Now go out and make a deal for some proven bullpen arms.

[Mike Sixel]

It has to be a multi-year deal. I would have liked to see him just for the rest of the year.

 

So be it. Now go out and make a deal for some proven bullpen arms.

In a month or more.... Until then, this is the team.

[Thrylos]

Brandon Morrow is about a month away from returning and with about $4.5M left in his contract.  Great opportunity for the Twins to jump the gun and go get him from the Cubs.

[Mr. Brooks]

Brandon Morrow is about a month away from returning and with about $4.5M left in his contract. Great opportunity for the Twins to jump the gun and go get him from the Cubs.

Why would the Cubs sign Kimbrel, then turn around and sell on Morrow?

[luckylager]

Sounds like 3 years $45 Million (Ken Rosenthal). 

[twins_89]

Twins front office unable to land a needed bullpen upgrade, the story of the off-season (and now the regular season).

 

[Han Joelo]

I think front offices are maybe over valuing that draft pick compensation deal.  Just seems kind of nuts that he can get this deal now that the what, #37 pick isn't going to be forfeited.  I just pulled that out of thin air--what pick WOULD the Cubs had given up if they'd just done this a month or 3 ago?

[TheLeviathan]

Bah.  This sucks.

[Han Joelo]

And as someone else said, no that this "option" is off the table, maybe they can roll their sleeves up and make a deal.  How about an athletic, low-A outfielder, and a hard throwing but erratic young pitcher for an under appreciated pitcher with a high spin rate on his curveball?

[Danchat]

3 year $45M is about the borderline for me - I'd pay that much for Kimbrel but not anything about that. It's a solid deal compared to the numbers that were being thrown around for him in the offseason.

[ScooterDance]

Yeah to support group.

 

I wanted to believe Falvine that the team would go all-in when the window was open.

 

The window is open. This would have only cost money.

 

I understand that there's still the trade market. And it's a buyers market with so many tanking teams.

 

Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by what "all-in" means in the next 6-8 weeks. Maybe Kimbrel will pull a Darvish. Just once I'd like us to go for it, though.

[Seth Stohs]

Three years, $43 million with an option for a 4th year. 

 

I'm good for sure with the Twins not doing that. 

[Danchat]

Details on the numbers on Kimbrel's deal:

 

2019: $10M

2020: $16M

2021: $16M

2022: Vesting option for $16M, if vest fails then it becomes a team option with a $1M buyout

[Mike Sixel]

 

Three years, $43 million with an option for a 4th year. 

 

I'm good for sure with the Twins not doing that. 

 

why? What are they going to do with the money? Now they have to spend money and trade prospects. When, exactly, should this team go in, if not a year like this?

[Seth Stohs]

 

why? What are they going to do with the money? Now they have to spend money and trade prospects. When, exactly, should this team go in, if not a year like this?

 

$10 million this year? I think they could still add a couple of relievers via trade... 

The $16 million the next two years... I'd throw a bunch of money at Berrios, Rosario and Buxton. Those guys, plus Sano, Rogers and others will also still be arb eligible. Plus, they will need to either lock up guys like Gibson and Odorizzi, or sign starters for a similar amount. And they can sign more relievers too

 

Added: I don't care about the money... but I understand them standing pat and not giving a third year and a fourth year option. 

[DocBauer]

I'm sorry, but I don't buy "the Twins are cheap" on this one.

 

I would have been thrilled for a year plus an option. And the Twins could have afforded it. Truth be told, I love the Cubs as a very distant 2nd choice team to follow and hope they did right by themselves. We all know the volitive nature of a RP. But we also know the value of a great one. We've had more than a few ourselves. What has always bothered me is why did it take so long for someone to sign him? And this includes the Cubs now, who's offer baffles me. Despite some possibly unrealist demands, NOBODY, including the Cubs initially, thought he was worth losing a lottery draft choice to sign until now??

 

N.Y., N.Y., Boston, Phillie, Atlanta, CHC, LA, NO big market was willing to sign him until the Cubs did now.

 

Weird!

 

NOT wanting to re-hash old arguments. What happened, happened, and happened for a reason. But what this team needs is A] someone like May and Romero to step forward, B] make a trade for someone to stabilize and deepen the pen akin to the Pressly deal last year.

 

How about we trade depth to bring someone, or a couple someone's in, with the depth we have who can make a difference.

[RaoulDuke]

I really wanted them to spend the money for Kimbrel so they could spend the prospects for a top of the rotation trade.  Probably a pipe dream but I want them to go all in on this year.    

 

I would go hard at a trade for Giles now, I prefer him to Kimbrel in a vaccum but he will cost prospects. 

 

I doubt they add an ace if also trading for back of the pen guy. I would sign Keuchel or go after Bumgarner now.

 

To actually contend in the playoffs, not just make an appearance, they need to upgrade the pitching staff with major pieces.  A big, preferably RH, bullpen ace/ closer is needed period.  Realistically a setup guy and loogy are missing as well.  A 2/3 starter is also needed if they aren't going to pay to get an ace.  Gibson/ Perez can and should be upgraded upon.  

[USAFChief]

 

$10 million this year? I think they could still add a couple of relievers via trade... 

The $16 million the next two years... I'd throw a bunch of money at Berrios, Rosario and Buxton. Those guys, plus Sano, Rogers and others will also still be arb eligible. Plus, they will need to either lock up guys like Gibson and Odorizzi, or sign starters for a similar amount. And they can sign more relievers too

 

Added: I don't care about the money... but I understand them standing pat and not giving a third year and a fourth year option. 

So...you DO care about the money.

[USAFChief]

I better not see one single person whining about the prospect cost of getting a couple relievers, none of which are likely to be as good as Kimbrel.

[Thrylos]

 

Why would the Cubs sign Kimbrel, then turn around and sell on Morrow?

 

Because they are the Cubs...

[USAFChief]

 

Because they are the Cubs...

You mean the Cubs who have won 95, 92, 103, and 97 games over the past four seasons? Who won a World Series?

 

Those Cubs?

[Seth Stohs]

 

So...you DO care about the money.

 

I care only to the point that I fully understand that and why it matters to the organization. It doesn't affect me in any way what the payroll number is. I know I much prefer watching a team that wins than a team that doesn't.  But them missing out on Kimbrel will have zero affect on my life or my enjoyment watching this team play. 

[Vanimal46]

It cements the idea that Twins ownership would rather make money with a mediocre team than win and lose money. Sucks, but it's reality.