Per Robert Murray of The Athletic and Ken Rosenthal also of The Athletic, the Milwaukee Brewers are in contract talks with All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel. Jon Heyman of MLB Network further reported Wednesday that the talks are getting very serious.
Kimbrel, 30, saved 42 games for the Red Sox last season, and another six in the playoffs en route to a World Series Championship. He and Dallas Keuchel are the two big names that remain unsigned deep into Spring Training, both of whom have draft pick compensation attached to them.
The Brewers had arguably the best bullpen in the MLB last season, and signing Kimbrel would make it almost unfair. He would join a bullpen already containing Jeremy Jeffress (8-1, 1.29 ERA, 10.4 K/9), Josh Hader (6-1, 2.43 ERA, 15.8 K/9), and Corey Knebel (4-3, 3.58 ERA, 14.3 K/9). They need that good bullpen as while their offense is another strength, their starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired.
