Dodgers get closer Kimbrel instead

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox traded the veteran outfielder A. J. Pollock and the veteran closer Craig Kimbrel on Friday, a rare one-for-one exchange, with no money exchanged, that cleared up uncertainties for two championship contenders.

From the Dodgers’ perspective, the deal frees up more playing time for young up-and-comers Gavin Luxwho was left without a defined role as a result of the signing of Freddie Freeman. Meanwhile, Kimbrel would slot into the closer, allowing Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to be more flexible with his use of Blake Trenen.

The White Sox had been looking to trade Kimbrel since exercising their $16 million option on him for 2022, given that Liam Hendricks is established as their closer. His depth in the bullpen, with Aaron Bummer, Garrett Crochet and veteran plugins Kendall Graveman and joe kellyallowed them to use Kimbrel in an effort to plug a hole in their outfield.

Pollock, who will earn $10 million in 2022 and has a $10 million player option for 2023, will likely slip in as the White Sox’s right fielder, prompting Eloy Jimenez will remain in left field and Andrew Vaughn slots in as the designated hitter, further solidifying what was already a potent lineup. The left handed Gavin Sheets also figures into the equation, with Chicago possibly rotating those four players through three spots.

The Dodgers had looked at Kimbrel before last summer’s trade deadline, but were hesitant to acquire him given the presence of kenley jansen. Kimbrel now fills the ninth-inning void left when Jansen signed with the Atlanta Braves, allowing the rest of his relievers to move back one spot. Ahead of Kimbrel, the Dodgers can field Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, daniel hudson, alex vesia and Victor Gonzalezwith people of the stature of Tommy Kahnle, Phil Bickford and Dustin May scheduled to be available at various points throughout the season.

Kimbrel, 33, has been among the best closers in the game for the better part of a decade, compiling 371 saves and a 2.24 ERA. After struggling with the Chicago Cubs from 2019 to 2020, Kimbrel dominated the first four months of 2021, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 64 batters in 36⅔ innings. However, in a non-closer role with the White Sox, Kimbrel’s ERA soared to 5.09 in 24 regular-season appearances.

Pollock, 34, hit .282/.337/.519 with 52 home runs and 150 RBI in 258 games for the Dodgers from 2019 to 2021. The former All-Star and Gold Glove winner drew a lot of criticism for his early problems, but he turned it around with a .933 OPS in October 2021.

In another move, the White Sox agreed to terms of a one-year, $7.45 million contract with the right-hander. Lucas Giolito, avoiding arbitrage. Giolito, 26, was 11-9 with a 3.53 ERA in 31 starts last season, his fifth with Chicago.

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Dodgers get closer Kimbrel instead