The end of Craig Kimbrel's free-agency nightmare is finally here, and it ought to be just the thing to wake up the Chicago Cubs bullpen.
With draft-pick compensation no longer holding him back, Kimbrel figured to finally sign a contract once the 2019 Major League Baseball draft was completed. That moment came to pass Thursday afternoon, and the Cubs had a deal with the 31-year-old right-hander shortly thereafter.
The news was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. ESPN.com's Jeff Passan later came through with the terms:
Jeff PassanCraig Kimbrel's deal with the Chicago Cubs is for three years and $43 million and includes a fourth-year option, sources tell ESPN.