Mets spoke to free agent Craig Kimbrel before he signed with Cubs

Kimbrel inked a three-year deal with the Cubs on Wednesday

6/6/2019, 1:49 PM
Sep 15, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) high fives relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) after defeating the New York Mets at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports / Bob DeChiara
Sep 15, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) high fives relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) after defeating the New York Mets at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports / Bob DeChiara

After going the entire offseason and two months of the regular season unsigned, free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel finally found a home -- with the Cubs. 

But before Kimbrel agreed to his three-year with the Cubs that will pay him roughly $45 million, the Mets and Dodgers were among the teams he spoke to.

SNY's Andy Martino reported in May that the Mets were having "continued dialogue" with Kimbrel and that "a lot of people in the organization" viewed Kimbrel as a better fit than Dallas Keuchel, who remains on the free agent market.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported in April that the Mets were only willing to sign Kimbrel if he was open to pitch in any role. 

The Cubs have been closing games by committee, so the expectation is that Kimbrel will get that role on a full-time basis.

According to Rosenthal, one of the reasons the Cubs decided to sign Kimbrel was because of the money they're saving with Ben Zobrist on the restricted list while he goes through a divorce.

As far as the Mets, they will be getting roughly 70 percent of the $29 million owed this season to Yoenis Cespedes (out for the season after recently having ankle surgery) back via the insurance policy they have on him.


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