Cubs sign former All-Star reliever |
Tony Crumpton
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- Thursday, January 24 2019
The Chicago Cubs made a big move on Thursday by signing free-agent reliever Brad Brach for a one-year contract worth roughly $4.3 million pending a physical. The deal includes a mutual option for the 2020 season that could make it a two-year deal worth around $9.5 million according to the Athletic.
Brach had a 3.59 ERA with 12 saves and 60 strikeouts across 69 appearances (62.2 innings) last season splitting time with the Orioles and Braves. Against righties, batters hit .243 while lefties raked at a .330 clip. In the final months with the Braves in 2018, he had a sparkling 1.52 ERA with a 21.2 percent strikeout rate and 8.7 percent walk rate in 27 appearances. He only allowed runs in six appearances with Atlanta. The veteran reliever will provide some much-needed depth for the Cubs and has some closer experience if needed as he had 18 saves in 2017. He will more than likely being used in a similar mold as Steve Cishek and Pedro Strop by Maddon. He was an All-Star performer for the Orioles back in 2016. For his career, he has a 3.08 ERA and 1.28 WHIP through eight MLB seasons. He will turn 33 in April. The Cubs' 40 man roster is now full with this bullpen addition. Actually surprised the Cubs spent 3 mil on a reliever the way things were going. Def better than a bargain basement type of signing. And needed. Pen looks a whole lot deeper, from the right side especially.
For Cubs fans wishing team would've just re-signed Jesse Chavez, consider:
there's a buyout on brach's second-year mutual option that's additional to the 3M salary for 2019, as @Ken_rosenthal said. #cubs
The #Cubs make nice move fortifying bullpen with the signing of Brad Brach to one-year, $3 million contract.
--Chavez is 35, has a 4.04 ERA/1.303 WHIP, 6 SVs since start of '14 and was guaranteed $8 mil
--Brach is 32, has a 2.89 ERA/1.22 WHIP, 33 SVs since start of '14 and guaranteed $3 mil + buyout.
