The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen suffered a major blow earlier this year when Kenley Jansen signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. That being said, the Dodgers just found their replacement for Jansen.
According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the Dodgers have acquired All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder A.J. Pollock.
Passan is reporting that it’s a straight-up player swap for the Dodgers and White Sox. No money is being exchanged as part of this deal.
Kimbrel will earn $16 million this season and slide into the closer role for the Dodgers. As for Pollock, he will make $10 million on the White Sox and has a $10 million player option for the 2023 season.
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
Most of the attention this afternoon will go to Kimbrel, and understandably so. Over the course of his MLB career, Kimbrel has a 2.18 ERA with 1,026 strikeouts and 372 saves.
It’s worth noting that Kimbrel struggled with the White Sox last season. In 24 appearances, Kimbrel had a 5.09 ERA.
Pollock, meanwhile, had a .297 average with 21 homers and 69 RBI last season with the Dodgers. He’ll certainly help out the White Sox’s lineup.
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