Per multiple reports, it’s not too late for big trades: former Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel is going from the White Sox to the Dodgers for outfielder A.J. Pollock.
The Kimbrel-for-Pollock deal is straight up. No money exchanged. Kimbrel will make $16 million this season and should slide into the closer's role with the Dodgers. Pollock is making $10 million and has a $10 million player option that includes a $5 million buyout.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 1, 2022
The White Sox finally do two things it seemed obvious that they had to do from the outset of the offseason: trade Craig Kimbrel and get a starting-caliber outfielder. Pollock, 34, can still hit quite a bit when he’s healthy, and will be a quality upgrade to a White Sox outfield that desperately needed it.
For the Dodgers, they get a sure-fire closer, which they were lacking after the departure of Kenley Jansen in free agency to the Braves. That doesn’t mean the Dodgers were without late-inning options – Blake Treinen is right there – but Kimbrel could and should get back into the role where he’s most comfortable (it was just never a fit with the White Sox after the midseason trade from the Cubs). And if he’s healthy and his normal self, man, what a boost for the already-loaded Dodgers, who could definitely afford to lose Pollock in the process.
This just seems like a no-brainer win for both sides. The rare one-for-one big leaguer swap, with no prospects, no money, no nothing. “Good old fashioned baseball trade,” as some folks might say.