Report: Brewers having ongoing conversations with Kimbrel

With closer Corey Knebel sidelined for all of 2019, the Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly having ongoing conversations with Craig Kimbrel's agent, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.

Knebel, 27, elected to undergo Tommy John surgery next week to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The closer was slated to play an integral role in the Brewers' division-title defense after posting a 3.58 ERA and 3.03 FIP over 55 1/3 innings last year, notching 16 saves.

Even further, the Brewers are currently without fellow right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who is dealing with shoulder soreness and is set to resume throwing in extended spring training. The 31-year-old authored a 1.29 ERA and 2.78 FIP over 76 2/3 innings last year, collecting 15 saves.

Kimbrel, meanwhile, was granted free agency at the beginning of the offseason, and was tendered a $17.9-million qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox. Upon rejecting it, Kimbrel became attached to draft-pick compensation if he were to sign elsewhere.

The 30-year-old closer is coming off of a down year during which he still boasted a remarkable 2.74 ERA and 3.13 FIP over 62 1/3 innings. The right-hander saved 42 regular season games and six more postseason games en route to his first World Series championship.

During the offseason, reports surfaced that Kimbrel was expecting a contract worth more than $100 million over six years. A deal of that value would shatter the record for total money committed to a reliever currently held by New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, who signed a five-year, $86-million contract prior to the 2017 season.