Cubs reportedly ink right-handed reliever Brad Brach to one-year, $3 million contract that includes mutual option for 2020
According to multiple reports, the Cubs have finally added a reliever to the mix. The Cubs and veteran right-hander Brad Brach have agreed to terms on a one-year, $3 million contract. The deal is believed to include a mutual option for 2020. The team has not announced a deal is in place with Brad Brach.
Brach will be paid a guaranteed $4.35 million according to Ken Rosenthal. Brach has a base salary of $3 million for the upcoming season. The contract reportedly includes a $1.35 million buyout on the mutual option for the 2020 season. If the Cubs exercise the team’s option for the second year, Rosenthal explained the total value of the contract could reach $9.5 million. If Brach exercises his option and the Cubs decline to pick up their end, he will be paid less than $9.5 million for the next two years.
The Cubs have been linked to Brad Brach for several years. The veteran reliever turns 33 early in the season (April 12) and excelled after he was finally traded from Baltimore last year.
Brach finished the 2018 season with a combined line of 2-4 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 69 appearances with the Orioles and Braves. Brach was 1-2 with a 1.52 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 27 appearances Atlanta. Brach gave up a lot of hits last season that led to his rather high and concerning WHIP. Brach walked 28 batters (nine after the trade) in 62 2/3 innings while giving up 72 hits (22 with the Braves).
If Tommy Hottovy and Joe Maddon can get him back to his 2015-17 form, the Cubs will have a very dependable reliever for late in games.
• Brad Brach’s Page on Baseball-Reference
The Cubs projected pen for Opening Day looks better with Brach in the mix … Brach, Brian Duensing/Randy Rosario, Steve Cishek, Brandon Kintzler, Tyler Chatwood, Mike Montgomery, Carl Edwards Jr. and Pedro Strop … than it did 24 hours ago. But the front office still has a lot of work to do in order to provide depth to the Major League bullpen.
