Chicago Cubs: If Craig Kimbrel’s price plummets, is he worth a look?

Seemingly unwilling or unable to spend big this season, would the Chicago Cubs change their stance if Craig Kimbrel winds up settling for a short-term deal?

This idea falls pretty firmly in the ‘unlikely to come to fruition’ category, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t warrant talking about. Since seeing their season draw to an abrupt close in the NL Wild Card game, the Chicago Cubs have repeated talking points about payroll limitations and internal improvements till they’re blue in the face.

Well, that’s just too bad. So far, we’re talking about a team with very real World Series aspirations standing pat – making really two moves this winter outside of retaining Cole Hamels for 2019. Chicago sent fan favorite Tommy La Stella packing via trade, replacing him with veteran Daniel Descalso on a two-year deal and, just Thursday, inked reliever Brad Brach to a one-year deal with an option for 2020.

That move shored up a relief corps with some serious question marks. As it stands, presumptive closer Brandon Morrow could miss up to the first month of the season after going under the knife. You’d have to think Pedro Strop takes over ninth-inning duties in his absence. But what if the Cubs went for a move nobody expects and signed Craig Kimbrel on a high-AAV, short-term deal?