Chicago Cubs: 3 takeaways from Kimbrel press conference

Kimbrel said he’s excited to play in front of the Wrigley faithful.

Another thing the Chicago Cubs have going for them as an attractive free agent destination is Wrigley Field. Aside from its historic value, the stadium is nearly packed every single night, which resonated strongly with Kimbrel:

He said that he had not been at Wrigley since it was under construction in 2015, so it will be like pitching in a brand new ballpark. There’s no doubt the influence this home crowd has on the team. The Cubs currently have a 21-11 record at Wrigley this season, which is second in the National League only to the Dodgers.

Since 2015, the Cubs have a home record of 226-131 which has been a big reason for their success in that time. The Kimbrel signing could have a similar impact as the Aroldis Chapman trade back in 2016. That season, it was the final piece the team needed to get over the hump and win their first World Series in 108 years.

The Cubs are hoping for similar results from Kimbrel, who has 333 career saves and a 1.91 ERA in 9 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox. The team just has to hang on for a bit longer before they get to debut their new weapon.

This signing could also have a ripple effect on not only the bullpen but the entire team. Having an elite arm to close out games instills confidence from top to bottom.