Report: Cubs agree to 3-year, $43M deal with closer Craig Kimbrel

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel reacts after the Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 4-3 in Game 4 of the ALDS. (Julie Jacobson/AP)

The Chicago Cubs have come to an agreement on three-year, $43-million deal with free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Wednesday.

Passan added that the contract includes a fourth-year option. The deal will see Kimbrel paid $10 million this season, and $16 million in 2020 and 2021. His physical is slated for Thursday.

Kimbrel, who turned down a $17.9-million qualifying offer in November from the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, was one of the last top free agents available.

The seven-time all-star topped the National League in saves in both 2013 and 2014. He tied for the lead in 2011 and 2012.

The 31-year-old has collected 333 saves across nine seasons. He spent the last three campaigns with the Red Sox after one year in San Diego and five in Atlanta.

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