Dodgers acquire reliever Craig Kimbrel, send outfielder AJ Pollock to White Sox

The Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster commerce Friday, buying All-Star reliever Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago White Sox in alternate for outfielder AJ Pollock, in keeping with an individual with information of the state of affairs who was not approved to remark publicly.

Kimbrel, 33, has been considered one of baseball’s greatest closers for a lot of the final decade, with 372 saves and a 2.18 ERA throughout his 12-year profession. With the Dodgers, he can fill the void left by the departure of Kenley Jansen, taking up a more in-depth position the workforce had beforehand been planning to fill by committee.

To drag the deal off, nevertheless, that they had to surrender some of the skilled items of their lineup in Pollock, a 10-year veteran who has been one of many workforce’s extra productive hitters of the final two seasons.

Nevertheless, pitching is a a lot larger want for the Dodgers, who will nonetheless have one one of the best lineups in baseball however seem like thinner on the mound than normal getting into the season. Friday’s commerce addresses one huge want, solidifying their plans behind the bullpen precisely per week earlier than opening day.