Braves' Reported Reluctancy to Sign Craig Kimbrel to 3-Year Deal is Ridiculous
By Scott Rogust
The chase for Craig Kimbrel reached it's conclusion on Wednesday night, as the Chicago Cubs signed him to a three-year contract.
One of the teams that were heavily linked to Kimbrel was the Atlanta Braves, but hours earlier, reports indicated that they'd bowed out of the sweepstakes. It seems the Braves had a chance to land Kimbrel themselves, but weren't willing to hand him a three-year deal.
Braves were unwilling to do three years on Kimbrel.
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) June 6, 2019
Why?
The Braves weren't the only team that was unwilling to offer an equal amount of years to Kimbrel as the Cubs. The Minnesota Twins, also in on Kimbrel, were steadfast on offering just two years.
Considering Atlanta had a rather passive offseason (not counting the Josh Donaldson signing), fans were hoping that the team would make a run at either Kimbrel or starter Dallas Keuchel. Especially considering they locked in young stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies to relatively cheap, long-term contracts.
Craig Kimbrel carries risk. (But what doesn't?) As Cubs get him in $43M/3yr range, Nats, Phils & Braves look like dopes, jmho. If Kimbrel was "no risk," you couldn't get him for that. Herd-think bear-(reliever)-market overshoot. Congrats, Cubs.
— Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) June 6, 2019
However, it was not to be. Atlanta currently ranks 16th in terms of bullpen ERA (4.31), and reuniting with Kimbrel certainly would've improved those numbers. Especially considering the Braves sit behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East Division lead.
Alas, it was not to be, as the Braves front office will have to bank on their current roster to make their first World Series since 1999.