MLB: 2020 Chicago Cubs Season Thread
- Thread starter Cyched
- Start date
I can hear JD now-- "Entering the game is reliever John Doe, who was last seen pitching in the California Penal League"
It's only 4 games in and seems like every season lately we have this same problem with the bullpen then a few guys figure it out and all the sudden it is not as bad as it seems. It's easy to assume this is how it's going to be though with the collection of pitchers they have and let's hope it's not like this all season. Kimbrel is the one that really concerns me though because he wasn't good last year either and the mess last night is not a good start to relieving fears that signing him was a big mistake. He's on the books for at least 1 more year at $16 mil too. There is a vesting/club option for 2022 with a $1 mil buyout and he definitely won't meet the vesting criteria with the short season this year. Lot of money to be paying a guy that should be closing games.
Contract Notes:
Contract Notes:
- 2022 Vesting/Club option includes a $1M buyout
- Vest with 110 games finished across 2020/2021
& 55 games finished in 2021
& passes a physical - 2022 Buyout increases
$1M each for 53 games finished in 2020, & 2021
...and so the KB nagging injury that winds up keeping him out two months saga begins.
Seriously though, not giving him big bucks may be the only good move the FO has made in the last 3 years.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
I wish you were wrong (and I know you do, too), but you're probably spot on.
He's one of those guys that's so easy to root for, and crazy talented.
It's just been his M.O. lately. An injury that starts small and before you know it he's been on the DL for a month.
I also just have to wonder with his free agency coming up whether if he struggles in this weird year he doesn't figure he's better off being injured.
Cubs current bullpen salary breakdown:
Craig Kimbrel: $16,000,000
The other 11 arms: $8,077,000
The Cubs will not win another World Series if they can’t develop a bullpen or at least spend money on one. The young talent is going to be impossible to keep intact in the next few years—-it might have made sense to move Bryant over the winter and explored a salary dump along the way.
Craig Kimbrel: $16,000,000
The other 11 arms: $8,077,000
The Cubs will not win another World Series if they can’t develop a bullpen or at least spend money on one. The young talent is going to be impossible to keep intact in the next few years—-it might have made sense to move Bryant over the winter and explored a salary dump along the way.
FYI those 2020 vesting options are pro-rated too. Kimbrel can still get vested if he performs well
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
You're right. He's in a rough spot.
Hindsight (for him) probably says that he should have taken the deal on the table.
For the Cubs, probably says exactly what you're saying, and it's a stroke of luck.
Honestly with how weird this season is. I would bring up all the young starter arms like Alzolay and Marquez and have them come out of the bullpen. Rather have them up working instead of the random garbage pail guys.
What's his WHIP 15? (assuming the HBP counts) I think it's safe to say preforming well isn't even in the multiple choice options.
