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Cubs To Sign Brad Brach

By Mark Polishuk | January 24, 2019 at 1:24pm CDT

1:24PM: Brach will earn at least $4.35MM in guaranteed money in 2019, Rosenthal tweets.  The mutual option is also more of a dual option for the 2020 season, similar to what we’ve seen in recent contracts for Zach Britton and Yusei Kikuchi.  If the Cubs exercise their option for 2020, Brach will receive $9.5MM over the course of the two seasons.  If Brach exercises his side of the option but the Cubs do not, Brach is still under team control for 2020 but at a lesser salary.

11:59AM: The Cubs have agreed to sign free agent reliever Brad Brach, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link).  The deal is a one-year contract worth $3MM, as per Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports (Twitter links), and the two sides hold a mutual option for the 2020 season.  Brach, a client of Big League Management Company, will have to pass a physical before the deal is official.

After four years of excellent numbers out of the Orioles’ bullpen from 2014-17, Brach’s production stumbled in the first half of the 2018 season, as he posted a 4.85 ERA over 39 innings with Baltimore.  Brach had an untidy 4.4 BB/9 rate over that stretch, though an inflated BABIP may have somewhat unfairly contributed to Brach’s struggles.  After a deadline trade to the Braves, however, Brach looked more like his old self, delivering a 1.52 ERA, 8.4 K/9, and a 2.44 K/BB rate over 23 2/3 frames for Atlanta.

On the whole, Brach posted a career-best 46% grounder rate in 2018, though he also had a career-worst 35% hard-hit ball rate, far surpassing his previous high of 29.6%.  His fastball also averaged 94.4mph after three years of topping the 95mph threshold, though Brach also threw his fastball less often than usual last season, instead using his changeup with greater frequency in 2018 than in any season save 2015.

These warning signs and Brach’s age (33 in April) may have been enough to lower Brach’s price tag to just one guaranteed season.  (MLBTR ranked Brach 41st on our Top 50 Free Agents list, with Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Jeff Todd projecting Brach for a two-year, $12MM deal.)  The mutual option does provide the right-hander with the ability to test free agency again next winter if he returns to his old form, making the deal essentially a pillow contract.

Brach served as Baltimore’s closer in 2017 when Britton was on the disabled list, and he could very well pick up some save opportunities early next season as Brandon Morrow recovers from November elbow surgery.  At the very least, Brach will provide some backing behind Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards Jr., or whomever ends up handling the ninth inning while Morrow is out, assuming Joe Maddon doesn’t deploy a committee approach.

Getting the 2013-17 version of Brach for, at most, $9.5MM over two years would be a nice coup for a Cubs team that has been facing a payroll crunch all winter.  Even the modest expenditure for Brach, however, puts Chicago into a higher Competitive Balance Tax bracket.  As per Roster Resource’s projections, the Cubs now have a luxury tax payroll over just under $229MM for next season, putting them in line for an additional tax beyond the usual 20% “first-time” rate for not only exceeding the $206MM luxury tax threshold, but exceeding it by more than $20MM.  There had been speculation that the Cubs could explore trading a big contract or two off its current roster to afford bullpen help or other acquisitions, and it remains to be seen if Theo Epstein’s front office has more moves in store to cut payroll and/or land new players.

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Chicago Cubs Newsstand Transactions Brad Brach

Rangers Designate Jack Reinheimer For Assignment
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Minor MLB Transactions: 1/24/19
View Comments (90)
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90 Comments

  1. nmendoza7

    6 years ago

    I guess no lefties allowed in the bullpen that aren’t named Montgomery.

    1
    Reply
    • nmendoza7

      6 years ago

      Or better yet named Duensing but he’s probably going to be designated because of his.

      Reply
      • tim815

        6 years ago

        Why would Duensing be designated (with a guaranteed contract) over Ian Clarkin?

        2
        Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      6 years ago

      Nice pickup . Sipp , Perez or trade for Will Smith \tony Watson?

      1
      Reply
    • Phanatic 2022

      6 years ago

      Isn’t there an old wives tale about lefties being the devil or something

      Reply
      • Houston We Have A Solution

        6 years ago

        Did Bobby boucher’s mama tell you that?

        1
        Reply
        • odogfenway

          6 years ago

          Mama’s wrong again!

          1
          Reply
      • canocorn

        6 years ago

        Lucifer is ambidextrous.

        Reply
        • richdanna

          6 years ago

          That one made me laugh.

          Reply
    • statefarm44

      6 years ago

      Randy Rosario

      Reply
  2. david klein

    6 years ago

    Really fell off last year with his command and control betraying him but he’s a good bounce back candidate with a good track record.

    2
    Reply
    • brewcrew08

      6 years ago

      He still had 60:28 K:BB ratio though which isn’t terrible. His strikeout rate did drop last year though to less than 1 per inning. I think he bounces back. He showed signs of life once he was traded to ATL.

      2
      Reply
    • User 4245925809

      6 years ago

      Agree. Good sign for 3m. was hoping Boston would be in on this guy.. Now last 3 probably sign for cheap that could help are Justin Wilson, Alex Wilson and boxberger, tho would rather them sign one of the 1st 2 for cpl million if possible.

      brach for 3m was/is a steal IMO.

      1
      Reply
    • disadvantage

      6 years ago

      I don’t know if it was so much his command and control “betraying” him as it was him punching a door and doing it to himself.

      1
      Reply
      • disadvantage

        6 years ago

        Sorry, I’m dumb. This was meant for another comment.

        1
        Reply
    • kenly0

      6 years ago

      1.52 era in 27 appearances in Atlanta. But, yeah, he has control problems

      1
      Reply
      • DTD

        6 years ago

        That ERA was very flukey in Atl. He was constantly getting himself in trouble.

        2
        Reply
  3. pageian

    6 years ago

    Cool, finally.

    Reply
    • canocorn

      6 years ago

      Cool? It’s friggin’ freezing out, man!

      Reply
  4. Soldierofgod619

    6 years ago

    Nice signing by the Cubs.

    7
    Reply
  5. WildKnights

    6 years ago

    BuT tHe cUbS hAvE nO MoNeY

    1
    Reply
    • petfoodfella

      6 years ago

      They have no money for Harper or MM. But $3m is a lot different than $30m – that zero holds a lot of weight!

      5
      Reply
      • Djones246890

        6 years ago

        They have more than enough money for anyone. They could go out and get Machado AND Harper, if they really wanted to.

        But, Ricketts just isn’t gonna spend it because he doesn’t think they’re worthy of the prices and years they’re asking for.

        I also think it’s a passive aggressive dog whistle “time out” for Theo, after his absolutely atrocious free agency performance last year.

        I’d give Theo a D+/C- on it, and when you’re the Cubs, that just ain’t gonna cut it.

        Reply
        • Djones246890

          6 years ago

          continued……

          He was able to salvage it with his signings of Murphy, Hamels, and Chavez, but the bad ones were really (like, epically) bad.

          Reply
    • mlb1225

      6 years ago

      Any team could afford the contract they gave Brach, but not all teams can afford what Machado and Harper are demanding.

      2
      Reply
  6. ruckus727

    6 years ago

    1/$3M is a steal on Brach. Great signing.

    6
    Reply
    • Moneyballer

      6 years ago

      0.3 war – replacement level player – 3M is about right. I don’t see any real value there, just another guy.

      3
      Reply
      • Begamin

        6 years ago

        the value is in the potential WAR, not his past WAR. you only look at his past stats to try and project future WAR. they arent giving him 3M to have a 0.3 WAR. theyre paying him 3M because theyre hoping for a bounce back

        1
        Reply
      • petrie000

        6 years ago

        judging a reliever by a 1-year WAR sample size… oh lordy….

        Reply
      • davidcoonce74

        6 years ago

        WAR isn’t the greatest metric for a reliever, simply because relievers don’t pitch enough anymore. Even the very best reliever in baseball last season only put up 3 Wins. A strong bullpen is important, of course, but individual reliever WAR is a little misleading simply because the bulk just isn’t there.

        Reply
  7. bleacherbum

    6 years ago

    Another former Padre that was around during Hoyer’s tenure in San Diego. Back to back days he brings in former draft picks. Brach + Rea.

    Reply
  8. Aaron Sapoznik

    6 years ago

    As it turns out, this signing will ultimately turn out to be the Cubs big move of the offseason. Hard to fathom this outcome when the season concluded last October.

    1
    Reply
    • theoepsteinhof

      6 years ago

      Didn’t realize today was the deadline for trades/FA signings!

      5
      Reply
    • desertbull

      6 years ago

      That would Cole Hamels at $20m but hey, you gave it a good effort.

      4
      Reply
    • petfoodfella

      6 years ago

      What do you want them to do? They have a load of talent on their roster. They can’t trade Heyward, it’s just not going to happen.

      They don’t have many “holes”

      But, you’re right, they should have spent an extra $50m this offseason to satisfy fans desire

      5
      Reply
      • petrie000

        6 years ago

        to satisfy non-Cubs fans desire at that.

        Reply
  9. johnrealtime

    6 years ago

    Sounds like a bargain to me

    6
    Reply
  10. Ninth 3 Year Plan

    6 years ago

    Lol Theo is trash

    5
    Reply
    • dray16

      6 years ago

      Jed Hoyer is the GM

      3
      Reply
    • desertbull

      6 years ago

      Yeah….the 3 or 4 rings he has just screams TRASH!!!

      1
      Reply
  11. Francys01

    6 years ago

    Wow. What the Cardinals missed.

    Reply
    • rondon

      6 years ago

      Just go away.

      Reply
  12. Syndergaarden Cop

    6 years ago

    Really Braves? We couldn’t retain him for that much? You idiots!

    4
    Reply
    • DTD

      6 years ago

      Why would they want him back? He was always pitching himself into trouble. Plus, where exactly does he fit in Atl? O’Day basically takes his spot. The only logical bullpen move is for a closer and Brach would be a poor choice for that role.

      1
      Reply
  13. ZFanatic

    6 years ago

    Good Signing by the Cubs, might be a nice bounce back year for Brach

    4
    Reply
  14. JFactor

    6 years ago

    Wanted cards to get him

    Reply
    • Nick Stevens

      6 years ago

      But the Cards have all that young talented pitching. Why do they need anyone else?

      2
      Reply
      • stan lee the manly

        6 years ago

        Everyone needs veterans on their staff to anchor and mentor young players.

        Reply
        • Nick Stevens

          6 years ago

          Cecil, Wainwright, Mikolas, Miller, AND THE GREAT AND POWERFUL YADIER MOLINA!! The greatest catcher since the game was invented. How many veterans do they need to “anchor and mentor” a staff?

          3
          Reply
        • themed

          6 years ago

          Good answer. Your right. They certainly don’t need that piece of crap.

          Reply
        • Nick Stevens

          6 years ago

          Cards already have 2 pieces of crap. Cecil and Gregerson.

          1
          Reply
        • stan lee the manly

          6 years ago

          I never said they needed another veteran. You asked why a young pitching staff might need an experienced veteran, so I told you why.

          Reply
        • DoItDoug

          6 years ago

          You can never have too much pitching and for that price, why not ? I was hoping for the Cards as well.

          Reply
  15. ReverieDays

    6 years ago

    Better and cheaper than Jesse Chavez signed for.

    3
    Reply
    • Moneyballer

      6 years ago

      I’d rather have chavez.

      3
      Reply
  16. its_happening

    6 years ago

    Figured Brach would cost about $5-6-mil given how much money has been thrown at relievers the last couple offseasons. This could be a huge steal for the Cubs. If Brach is anywhere near the pitcher he was in Baltimore it’s a huge pickup.

    1
    Reply
  17. bravesfan

    6 years ago

    What a pain braves…. where are y’all in the bullpen market! So much talent out there and we haven’t make a single bullpen move and it was our biggest weakness going into the offseason

    Reply
  18. kiddhoff

    6 years ago

    Sounds like Brach was more desperate than the Cubs. At least they didn’t spend a desperate $14mil on Holland, like my Cardinals did

    3
    Reply
  19. bigbluerulz

    6 years ago

    Hey ninth who’s better the president of baseball operations of the team you support that hasn’t made the playoffs in YEARS????? Worry about your team us cubs fans will worry about clearing our schedules for another year of October baseball. Excellent pickup by the Cubbies!

    1
    Reply
    • cubsfan2489

      6 years ago

      If you’re an actual cubs fan, you wouldn’t call them “Cubbies”. Stop making CHC fans look stupid, there was no schedule to clear last October. Stop.

      4
      Reply
      • chitown311

        6 years ago

        Thank you. A cub fan who actually GETS it

        3
        Reply
      • thurmanmerman33

        6 years ago

        Lol, nailed it.

        1
        Reply
      • ThatBallwasBryzzoed

        6 years ago

        I always disliked the term cubbies. The only thing really bad about the organization besides having a clueless owner. Is hiring a mascot after not having one for the 120 year history. The reds,Mets and Phillies are the only teams that need mascots. And Bernie Brewer too. But the brewers went full on family friendly after a brewers home run. Hes supposed to slide into a beer mug.now it’s some lame foam pit.

        Reply
        • Nick Stevens

          6 years ago

          Why are the Reds, Mets and Phillies the only teams that “need” a mascot?

          Reply
  20. anthonyd4412

    6 years ago

    St Louis is boring!

    2
    Reply
    • kiddhoff

      6 years ago

      Them’s fighting words! Ask Brandon Phillip’s and Nyjer Morgan what happens when you talk trash about the Cardinals

      Reply
      • Nick Stevens

        6 years ago

        Yeah, don’t mess with the Cardinals. You might end the career of their backup catcher.

        1
        Reply
  21. doxiedevil

    6 years ago

    The Braves bullpen is so fantastic that Brach was the odd man out. Yes sarcasm !!

    Reply
  22. ChiSoxCity

    6 years ago

    Cubs better hope Brach has something left in the tank. Their bullpen is a major weakness due to lack of depth (and a real closer). They could have easily signed a lefty closer like Britton.

    1
    Reply
    • megaj

      6 years ago

      Every single facet of the Cubs organization is better than your team.. Better rotation, better bullpen, better defense, better lineup, better management, absolutely everything is better. And since I don’t see Cubs fans trolling the White Sox rumors, is pretty clear who the better fans are as well. Get a life man, time to let the hate go.

      3
      Reply
      • ChiSoxCity

        6 years ago

        Typical juvenile response from a Cubs fanatic. Megaj, little babies like you make the internet forums a minefield. If it doesn’t fit your limited knowledge, it’s trolling.

        2
        Reply
      • Priggs89

        6 years ago

        “And since I don’t see Cubs fans trolling the White Sox rumors”

        You clearly aren’t paying attention then. This crap goes both ways. Get over it.

        1
        Reply
        • megaj

          6 years ago

          The crap does go both ways, but you two are the very definition of immature, juvenile trolls. Its just a shame they don’t have a troll filter so we wouldn’t have to read your useless barbs on a daily basis. I can’t disagree with you or “cry” about anything, because you never have a point to begin with. Cubs old, Theo dumpster diving, Cubs suck, blah, blah, blah. It just sounds so petty coming from fans of a far lesser team. But every day, the same crap, never anything new.

          Reply
        • thurmanmerman33

          6 years ago

          Can’t speak for what you’ve witnessed posted on other boards but there was nothing”immature” about the comment you responded to. Chicitys comment was a valid opinion and pretty respectful. “Far lessor team” your the one that sounds petty and really snobby. Stop being so defensive, everyone knows the cubs have a better team.

          Reply
    • Compo

      6 years ago

      They have a closer already. Brandon Morrow. He just spent nearly half the season on the DL last year, but he should be good to go for next season.

      Reply
      • megaj

        6 years ago

        With Morrow’s tendency to get shelved with an injury, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maddon goes with a round robin approach to closing this year. Strop, Edwards, Morrow, Cishek, and now Brach are capable of closing a game. I always thought that Morrow was better suited as the 8th inning set up guy.

        1
        Reply
        • chitown311

          6 years ago

          Well megaj, you know what they say. If you have 2 closers, that means you don’t have any.

          Reply
      • ChiSoxCity

        6 years ago

        You do…know Morrow’s history, right?

        Reply
    • Led Hoyer

      6 years ago

      Cubs bullpen isn’t the Yankees but I’d hardly call it a weakness. Strop, chisek, morrow and now brach are all solid veteran relievers. With Darvish healthy that puts monty another proven start/reliever back in the pen. I am sure they have a solid lefthander on their wishlist but Rosario wasn’t horrible last year. No clue what cubs plan to do with chatwood but he has nasty stuff if he can limit the walks.

      1
      Reply
  23. HubcapDiamondStarHalo

    6 years ago

    “If Brach exercises his side of the option but the Cubs do not, Brach is still under team control for 2020 but at a lesser salary.”

    That’s a pretty team-friendly clause!!

    Reply
    • chesteraarthur

      6 years ago

      How do you figure? It’s better than a strict team option, at least this gives him a guarantee to be paid next year.

      Reply
  24. andrewgauldin

    6 years ago

    This really pisses me off. The Halos could have signed Brach instead of Allen and still had money leftover to sign a lefty. Now we are in a situation where we have pennies to spend, or need to move a contract to spend.

    1
    Reply
  25. megaj

    6 years ago

    I like the move, it adds a little more depth to a quality bullpen at a fair price. I think Brach is an upgrade to other moves like keeping J. Chavez or getting Adam Warren again. Chavez pitched pretty darn good for the Cubs last year, but probably just an anomaly given his career numbers. Not a big move, but definitely fills a need nicely.

    1
    Reply
    • paindonthurt

      6 years ago

      Good synopsis. I wonder if the Bote rumors have any merit. I’d be surprised if they don’t pick up another lefty for the pen. They may find a way to subtract Duensing or Kintzler as well.

      1
      Reply
      • megaj

        6 years ago

        I think Kintzler is moveable after he took the 5M option. A Bote/Kintzler trade could have some merit. Not sure how they can move Duensing though. Maybe he can turn it around this year?

        1
        Reply
        • Mikel Grady

          6 years ago

          Why not sign sipp?

          Reply
        • NU Wildcats

          6 years ago

          ^
          This. I wish they signed Sipp.

          Reply
  26. tgovey

    6 years ago

    You’re telling me the Red Sox couldn’t spend$3 million on him?
    He brings experience at the end of games setting up and closing.
    smh

    Reply
  27. chitown311

    6 years ago

    Dumpster Divin’ Theo!

    1
    Reply
  28. Kk3445

    6 years ago

    Brach is a nice pickup for the Cubs. Especially for the low money they got him for.

    Reply

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