The Chicago White Sox finally managed to move veteran closer Craig Kimbler. On Friday, the White Sox announced a trade that will see Kimbler heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfielder AJ Pollock.

The White Sox acquired Kimbler from the Cubs midway through the 2021 MLB season intending to use him in the eighth inning. However, the role proved to be a bad fit for the 33-year-old All-Star and failed to make the kind of impact Chicago hoped for. Using him as a closer, which is his natural role, was not an option due to the presence of star righty Liam Hendriks.

In November, the White Sox picked up Kimbler’s $16 million option for 2022, but the front office publicly admitted the move was made to find a trade partner. In the end, the Dodgers made the call, and both franchises have reasons to feel good about the deal.

The LA team had an interest in getting Kimbler, who has 371 saves and a 2.24 ERA as a closer in MLB, while he was with the Cubs but decided not to pull the trigger since they already had Kenley Jansen at the position. Now, Jansen’s presence won’t be the issue as the 34-year-old player left the Dodgers in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Braves.

On the other hand, the White Sox move Kimbler’s salary off their payroll while getting a player that they can actually use. Pollock, who was an All-Star in 2015, is expected to do most of his work in the right field in 2022.

The post White Sox Trade Closer Craig Kimbrel to the Dodgers for OF AJ Pollock appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Earlier this week, the Chicago White Sox made an expected decision to pick up their 2022 club option on the contract of their Craig Kimbrel. But the All-Star reliever isn’t expected to pitch much for the franchise next season despite this.

Several previous reports indicated that the White Sox have every intention to trade Kimbrel after picking his option and the team’s general manager Rick Hahn did nothing to dispute them while chatting with media on Tuesday. While speaking about the 33-year-old, Hahn said that while Chicago views him as “a potentially impactful reliever,” they are open to moving him if the opportunity presents itself.

“What we have to figure out is if it makes the most sense to have Craig in a White Sox uniform going forward or is there a better use of that spot and him perhaps via trade,” Hahn said.

Kimbrel joined the White Sox via trade from the Chicago Cubs midway through the 2021 MLB season with a reputation of being one of the game’s best closers. But considering they already had a star closer in Liam Hendriks, the team opted to use Kimbrel exclusively in the eighth inning. This proved to be a mistake, however, as the veteran struggled to make a meaningful impact.

Serving as a closer for the Cubs in the first part of the 2021 campaign, Kimbrel had a 0.49 ERA with 63 strikeouts. In the White Sox uniform, however, his ERA skyrocketed to 5.09 and he only managed 36 strikeouts.

Hahn acknowledged Kimbrel’s struggles while pointing out that the two-time Reliever of the Year might have more use to some other team.

“It didn’t work out the way we wanted last year so perhaps there’s a better use of his skills than how we were doing it,” he added. “So we have to reconsider his usage with us versus a potential trade.”

Kimbrel, who also played with the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox among other teams, made eight All-Star selections. He has a career 2.18 ERA with 1,026 strikeouts, while his 372 saves rank 9th on the MLB’s all-time list.

The post White Sox GM Says Team is Open to Moving Craig Kimbrel appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Just when the Chicago Cubs thought that they had all of their key players healthy and ready for their September playoff push, closer Craig Kimbrel hit the injured list with an elbow problem.

The Cubs placed their marquee, big-money reliever on the injured list in a surprising development for the team’s bullpen that has them wondering if they have the depth needed to overtake the Cardinals in a tight NL Central race.

Chicago currently trails St. Louis in the NL Central race by a margin of 2.5 games, and they hold a tenuous 2.5 game lead over Arizona for the second Wild Card spot in the league.

It’s hard to say if Kimbrel’s absence will end up being that big of a negative, despite his big-name status and big contract. The former Braves, Padres, and Red Sox reliever is having the worst season of his professional career, posting a 5.68 ERA in 19 games.

Kimbrel has struggled with issuing too many walks and with home runs this season, leading Cubs fans to have little confidence in their closer.

The team is unsure when their closer will return, but his healthy and productive presence would surely be important if the Cubs are to advance far in the playoffs.

The post Cubs Place Closer Craig Kimbrel on IL With Elbow Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After signing All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to a 3-year, $46 million deal earlier this month, the Cubs’ new closer is finally on his way to Wrigley Field.

The 31-year-old pitcher signed with the Cubs on June 6th after an extended wait that left the seven-time All-Star waiting to sign a deal until nearly halfway into the season. The reason for this was the fact that the team that signed him would’ve had to give up a first-round draft pick had they done so before this year’s draft.

So, despite the strange wait, and after 4 “warm-up” appearances with the AAA Iowa Cubs, Kimbrel has deemed ready for action and is on his way to the big league club.

Kimbrel, formerly of the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox, will immediately step in as Chicago’s closer. The Cubs, the owners of a slim one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, hope that his addition will bolster a bullpen that has already been one of the stronger units in baseball this season.

The Cubs’ relievers have combined to post a 3.90 ERA, good for 7th in the MLB, and that number should only improve with the addition of their new closer, the owner of a career 1.91 ERA and 333 saves.

The post Cubs Add Star Closer Craig Kimbrel to Active Roster appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After staying in free agency for seven months, Craig Kimbrel finally found a job in MLB. According to The Athletic, Kimbrel has agreed to a three-year contract with Chicago Cubs.

MLB Network reports that Kimbrel’s deal is worth $43 million, with the All-Star closer set to earn $10 million in 2019 and 2020 and $16 million in 2021. The contract also has a club/vesting option for the fourth year with a $1 million buyout.

Tampa Bay Rays also expressed interest in Kimbrel, but their offer wasn’t financially strong as the one from the Cubs. Rays reportedly gave the 31-year-old to choose between two years, $31 million, and three years, $39 million offers.

While Chicago is still to officially confirm their newest acquisition, Cubs players already expressed their excitement about Kimbrel’s arrival.

“It’s like getting a gift on Christmas morning and having to wait to open it for a week or so before he’s here,” – said pitcher Jon Lester.

“He’s awesome. You’re bringing in–if he’s not the best, he’s one of the best closers in the game,” – added reliever Pedro Strop. “Hopefully he’s in good shape so he can help us win another World Series. … He’s one of my favorites.”

Craig Kimbrel spent the last three years with the Boston Red Sox, who offer him a one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer to keep him for 2019. Kimbrel turned it down and headed to the free agency where he rejected several teams while waiting for the right offer.

Kimbrel’s MLB stats include 31-19 record, 1.91 ERA, 868 strikeouts and 333 saves. He made the All-Star seven times and has one World Series championship.

The post All-Star Closer Craig Kimbrel Signs a 3-Year, $43 Million Deal with Cubs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Chicago White Sox finally managed to move veteran closer Craig Kimbler. On Friday, the White Sox announced a trade that will see Kimbler heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfielder AJ Pollock.

The White Sox acquired Kimbler from the Cubs midway through the 2021 MLB season intending to use him in the eighth inning. However, the role proved to be a bad fit for the 33-year-old All-Star and failed to make the kind of impact Chicago hoped for. Using him as a closer, which is his natural role, was not an option due to the presence of star righty Liam Hendriks.

In November, the White Sox picked up Kimbler’s $16 million option for 2022, but the front office publicly admitted the move was made to find a trade partner. In the end, the Dodgers made the call, and both franchises have reasons to feel good about the deal.

The LA team had an interest in getting Kimbler, who has 371 saves and a 2.24 ERA as a closer in MLB, while he was with the Cubs but decided not to pull the trigger since they already had Kenley Jansen at the position. Now, Jansen’s presence won’t be the issue as the 34-year-old player left the Dodgers in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Braves.

On the other hand, the White Sox move Kimbler’s salary off their payroll while getting a player that they can actually use. Pollock, who was an All-Star in 2015, is expected to do most of his work in the right field in 2022.

The post White Sox Trade Closer Craig Kimbrel to the Dodgers for OF AJ Pollock appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Earlier this week, the Chicago White Sox made an expected decision to pick up their 2022 club option on the contract of their Craig Kimbrel. But the All-Star reliever isn’t expected to pitch much for the franchise next season despite this.

Several previous reports indicated that the White Sox have every intention to trade Kimbrel after picking his option and the team’s general manager Rick Hahn did nothing to dispute them while chatting with media on Tuesday. While speaking about the 33-year-old, Hahn said that while Chicago views him as “a potentially impactful reliever,” they are open to moving him if the opportunity presents itself.

“What we have to figure out is if it makes the most sense to have Craig in a White Sox uniform going forward or is there a better use of that spot and him perhaps via trade,” Hahn said.

Kimbrel joined the White Sox via trade from the Chicago Cubs midway through the 2021 MLB season with a reputation of being one of the game’s best closers. But considering they already had a star closer in Liam Hendriks, the team opted to use Kimbrel exclusively in the eighth inning. This proved to be a mistake, however, as the veteran struggled to make a meaningful impact.

Serving as a closer for the Cubs in the first part of the 2021 campaign, Kimbrel had a 0.49 ERA with 63 strikeouts. In the White Sox uniform, however, his ERA skyrocketed to 5.09 and he only managed 36 strikeouts.

Hahn acknowledged Kimbrel’s struggles while pointing out that the two-time Reliever of the Year might have more use to some other team.

“It didn’t work out the way we wanted last year so perhaps there’s a better use of his skills than how we were doing it,” he added. “So we have to reconsider his usage with us versus a potential trade.”

Kimbrel, who also played with the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox among other teams, made eight All-Star selections. He has a career 2.18 ERA with 1,026 strikeouts, while his 372 saves rank 9th on the MLB’s all-time list.

The post White Sox GM Says Team is Open to Moving Craig Kimbrel appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Just when the Chicago Cubs thought that they had all of their key players healthy and ready for their September playoff push, closer Craig Kimbrel hit the injured list with an elbow problem.

The Cubs placed their marquee, big-money reliever on the injured list in a surprising development for the team’s bullpen that has them wondering if they have the depth needed to overtake the Cardinals in a tight NL Central race.

Chicago currently trails St. Louis in the NL Central race by a margin of 2.5 games, and they hold a tenuous 2.5 game lead over Arizona for the second Wild Card spot in the league.

It’s hard to say if Kimbrel’s absence will end up being that big of a negative, despite his big-name status and big contract. The former Braves, Padres, and Red Sox reliever is having the worst season of his professional career, posting a 5.68 ERA in 19 games.

Kimbrel has struggled with issuing too many walks and with home runs this season, leading Cubs fans to have little confidence in their closer.

The team is unsure when their closer will return, but his healthy and productive presence would surely be important if the Cubs are to advance far in the playoffs.

The post Cubs Place Closer Craig Kimbrel on IL With Elbow Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After signing All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to a 3-year, $46 million deal earlier this month, the Cubs’ new closer is finally on his way to Wrigley Field.

The 31-year-old pitcher signed with the Cubs on June 6th after an extended wait that left the seven-time All-Star waiting to sign a deal until nearly halfway into the season. The reason for this was the fact that the team that signed him would’ve had to give up a first-round draft pick had they done so before this year’s draft.

So, despite the strange wait, and after 4 “warm-up” appearances with the AAA Iowa Cubs, Kimbrel has deemed ready for action and is on his way to the big league club.

Kimbrel, formerly of the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox, will immediately step in as Chicago’s closer. The Cubs, the owners of a slim one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, hope that his addition will bolster a bullpen that has already been one of the stronger units in baseball this season.

The Cubs’ relievers have combined to post a 3.90 ERA, good for 7th in the MLB, and that number should only improve with the addition of their new closer, the owner of a career 1.91 ERA and 333 saves.

The post Cubs Add Star Closer Craig Kimbrel to Active Roster appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After staying in free agency for seven months, Craig Kimbrel finally found a job in MLB. According to The Athletic, Kimbrel has agreed to a three-year contract with Chicago Cubs.

MLB Network reports that Kimbrel’s deal is worth $43 million, with the All-Star closer set to earn $10 million in 2019 and 2020 and $16 million in 2021. The contract also has a club/vesting option for the fourth year with a $1 million buyout.

Tampa Bay Rays also expressed interest in Kimbrel, but their offer wasn’t financially strong as the one from the Cubs. Rays reportedly gave the 31-year-old to choose between two years, $31 million, and three years, $39 million offers.

While Chicago is still to officially confirm their newest acquisition, Cubs players already expressed their excitement about Kimbrel’s arrival.

“It’s like getting a gift on Christmas morning and having to wait to open it for a week or so before he’s here,” – said pitcher Jon Lester.

“He’s awesome. You’re bringing in–if he’s not the best, he’s one of the best closers in the game,” – added reliever Pedro Strop. “Hopefully he’s in good shape so he can help us win another World Series. … He’s one of my favorites.”

Craig Kimbrel spent the last three years with the Boston Red Sox, who offer him a one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer to keep him for 2019. Kimbrel turned it down and headed to the free agency where he rejected several teams while waiting for the right offer.

Kimbrel’s MLB stats include 31-19 record, 1.91 ERA, 868 strikeouts and 333 saves. He made the All-Star seven times and has one World Series championship.

The post All-Star Closer Craig Kimbrel Signs a 3-Year, $43 Million Deal with Cubs appeared first on SportzBonanza.