Ken Rosenthal reports that the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a deal with reliever Brad Brach, pending a physical. Jeff Passan says it’s a one-year deal worth $3 million.
Brach, a righty who will turn 33 early in the season, split time in 2018 between the Orioles and the Braves last season, appearing in 69 total games with a 3.58 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 60/28 in 62.2 innings. Overall that was a down year for him, but he was outstanding following his trade to Atlanta at the end of July. His performance there -- a 1.52 ERA in 27 games while allowing far fewer hits and walks -- was more in keeping with his strong track record over the past several seasons. Indeed, he has pitched more than 60 innings every year with a 145 ERA+ since 2014.
Which makes one year and three million bucks seem like a heck of an underpay.