Rays just saved the Cubs from a reunion that would have been disastrous

It's been no secret that the Chicago Cubs are looking for pitching depth wherever they can find it, leading to the thought that they may give former closer Craig Kimbrel a call. Kimbrel was released by the New York Mets over the weekend, and while there would have no justification for a reunion, that thought couldn't be put past Jed Hoyer and Co. Especially considering this is the same organization trying to revive the career of Liam Hendriks.

Fortunately, the Tampa Bay Rays have saved the Cubs from the disaster that would have been a reunion with the 37-year-old closer. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that Kimbrel is inking a major-league deal with he Rays as he looks to continue his playing career.

Short of the Cubs' needing pitching depth, there wouldn't be much reason to point to Kimbrel as a potential answer in the bullpen. Along those lines, for everything that has gone wrong for the Cubs over the last two weeks, the bullpen hasn't been terrible. While it's being patched together with guys like Ryan Rolison and Trent Thornton, Jacob Webb has also emerged as a sudden high-leverage option for Craig Counsell.

Thankfully, Craig Kimbrel is not returning to the Cubs

In 14 appearances with the Mets before his release, Kimbrel carried an ERA of 6.00. Kimbrel's velocity has been down over the last three years, and while he posted a 2.45 ERA with the Houston Astros at the end of the 2025 season, a scan through his advanced metrics suggested that his success wasn't sustainable.

That being said, it's a curious that it was the Rays who made the move for Kimbrel. Given Tampa Bay's history with maximizing the most out of veteran pitchers, it wouldn't be a complete surprise if they did find some version of success for Kimbrel moving forward. If nothing else, it's added a depth for a team that has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 season.

As for the Cubs, the need isn't in the bullpen right now. The Cubs' offense has been struggling during the team's nine-game losing streak. Pitching could certainly still be the priority for the Cubs at the deadline, but right now, a reunion with Kimbrel never seemed within the realm of possibility.

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