The Mets have remained in touch with free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel. Here's the latest...
June 5, 1:21 PM:
The Braves are not among the finalists to sign Kimbrel, reports Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
June 5, 12:56 PM:
The Cubs are showing interest in Kimbrel, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who notes that the absence of Ben Zobrist (who is on the restricted list while he goes through a divorce) could mean the Cubs have more money to spend.
Rosenthal adds that the Cubs are doing "background work" on Kimbrel while trying to figure out if the finances work.
Kimbrel and fellow free agent Dallas Keuchel -- who were both given qualifying offers -- are no longer attached to draft pick compensation.
May 12, 10:37 AM:
The Rays, who have primarily used Diego Castillo and Jose Alvarado to close games this season, have been "keeping in touch" with Kimbrel, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
May 2, 9:27 AM:
The Mets are "having continued dialogue with Craig Kimbrel," SNY's Andy Martino said Wednesday. "This is a guy that a lot of people in the organization sees a fit more than Dallas Keuchel," Martino added. "Is it likely they sign him? I wouldn't say likely, but they're one of the teams talking to him."
While the Mets and other teams remain interested in Kimbrel, it could make sense for him and Keuchel to wait until after June 5 to sign.
April 20, 4:02 PM:
The Mets still remain among teams interested in signing Kimbrel. But, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the team is only willing to sign Kimbrel if he was open to pitch in any role. This is obviously due to Edwin Diaz solidified in the closer role for now.
April 19, 6:36 PM:
While Kimbrel could have more motivated suitors than the Mets, the team has kept in touch with Kimbrel's camp and has not ruled out signing him, according to SNY's Andy Martino.
April 18, 11:36 AM:
As his demands continue to drop, there's a belief Kimbrel would sign a "good" three-year deal, reports Jon Heyman of FanCred.
April 16, 1:57 PM:
Kimbrel is moving "closer" to making a decision on where he will sign, reports Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, who adds that there is currently no clear favorite.
Morosi adds that the seriousness of the Brewers' pursuit could be tied to the health and performance of reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who is rehabbing in Triple-A.
April 14, 4:51 PM:
Asked specifically about the temptation of signing Kimbrel or Dallas Keuchel, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said the team will "always monitor ways to get better," but that he likes the team as currently constructed.
April 14, 10:36 AM:
Kimbrel's price tag -- which was said to be a ridiculous six-years and more than $100 million earlier this offseason-- has reportedly dropped considerably.
The 31-year-old Kimbrel is now open to signing a deal similar to ones signed by Wade Davis ($52 million for three years) and Zack Britton ($39 million for three years), reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
April 5, 9:57 AM:
Dallas Keuchel isn't the only high-end free agent the Mets are still considering.
"By the way, they're keeping in touch with Craig Kimbrel too," SNY's Andy Martino said Thursday night on Baseball Night in New York on SNY.