*Photo from the Chicago Sun Times*
The rumors had been going on all offseason, and now it's done. The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired RHP Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for OF AJ Pollock, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Both teams have confirmed the trade.
The deal is straight up player for player, there will be no salary retained and no players to be named later. Kimbrel earns $16 million this season, while Pollock earns $10 million with a $10 million player option for 2023, with a $5 million buyout. Kimbrel had been the subject of rampant trade rumors all offseason after struggling with the White Sox in the second half of the season.
Kimbrel said of going to Los Angeles that "I showed up to White Sox camp to do whatever job I was going to be asked to do. I knew the situation I was in and that’s been my mindset. I think coming over here, my mindset is gonna be a little different. I’m going to be able to put some shoes on that I know that fit. Hopefully it turns into good results."
In Los Angeles, Kimbrel will become the closer to replace Kenley Jansen, a role that he is more comfortable in, as shown by his dominance in both Atlanta and Boston, as well as the first half of 2021 with the Chicago Cubs. The Dodgers were prepared to enter the season without a set closer, but Kimbrel will change that outlook.
Last season, combined with the Cubs and White Sox, Kimbrel finished the regular season with a 4-5 record to go with a 2.26 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, picking up 24 saves, 23 of which came with the Cubs. he struck out 100 hitters and threw 59 2/3 innings, making 63 relief appearances and making the NL all star team.
Across 12 big league seasons, totaling 5 teams and 8 all star game appearances, Kimbrel has a 35-29 record, 2.18 ERA, and 0.95 WHIP, fanning 1,026 hitters while throwing 628 1/3 innings, with 372 career saves in 646 relief appearances. He has 7 saves and 24 innings pitched in 23 playoff games.
Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said that "Looking at the totality of the roster, and trying to make sure we feel like we’re at a good balance. As much as the players, clubhouse, manager, staff, the front office love AJ, we felt like it was a way to balance up the roster, add to our pitching depth, and thought it was the right thing for the team in totality."
Last season, his 3rd with the Dodgers, Pollock ended the regular season with a .297 batting average, plus a .536 slugging percentage and .892 OPS, whacking 21 home runs to go with 69 RBI's, adding 9 stolen bases in 117 regular season games, plus two home runs and 9 RBI's in the playoffs.
In Pollock's 10 major league seasons, split between the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks, he has a .281 average with a .482 slugging percentage and .819 OPS, hitting 126 home runs with 414 RBI's in 895 regular season games, earning one all star game nomination. In the playoffs, Pollock has a .223 average with 3 home runs and 14 RBI's in 34 playoff games, winning a world series ring in 2020.
White Sox GM Rick Hahn said of landing Pollock that "It's very much about roster depth. Obviously, AJ has the ability to help us in right field. But he’s made his career in left and center as well. So, it gives us some depth, some alternative options and the ability to take guys off their feet as well as solidify us both offensively and defensively."
In Los Angeles, Kimbrel becomes the closer and joins a bullpen group that includes Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, Danny Duffy, Daniel Hudson, and Victor Gonzalez. Pollock will become the starting right fielder in Chicago with an outfield group of Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Leury Garcia, Adam Engel, and Andrew Vaughn.
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