With Kmet's long-awaited return imminent and with us both loaded up at OF and in need of a lights-out Closer, I shop Sam Leslie around and eventually make this deal with the Cubbies.
Sam's a good player, no doubt of that, but he thinks he's worth north of $4m per and I don't, especially at rising 32. Plus, as I said, we are well-stocked out in the paddock.
I won't be getting into the habit of acquiring big money relievers all over the joint, but we need some quality there all the same. Chicago was happy to eat a decent chunk of his salary, which in turn made it far more palatable for yours truly at less than $4m all up thru the end of next year.
This move also solves the "problem" of making space for Kmet, and I take this opportunity to call him up.