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Chicago White Sox Acquire Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel

The Chicago White Sox have reached an agreement to acquire closer Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago Cubs, according to Jeff Passan.

Kimbrel, an eight time All-Star, had been with the Cubs since 2019. This season, he has posted a 0.49 ERA, an 826 ERA+, and has gone 23 for 25 in save opportunities. In return, the Cubs are getting second baseman Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer. Madrigal is currently on the 60-day injured list with a torn hamstring. Per the Chicago Tribune, he should return for Spring Training 2022 after having surgery. Before the injury, he was hitting .305 in 54 games. Heuer, meanwhile, had posted an ERA in the mid-fives in 40 games.

Chicago White Sox Acquire Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel’s Career

Kimbrel is highly regarded as one of the top closers in the game today. He made his Major League debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2010, posting an ERA under one in 21 games. His career trended upward severely. He wound up saving a franchise record 186 games during his time in Atlanta. He also posted a 1.43 ERA and a 266 ERA+. Then, when the Braves decided to rebuild, he was shipped to the San Diego Padres. While he was not quite as effective, he still managed to notch 39 saves. His 2.58 ERA and 145 ERA+ spoke to his continued success as a closer.

After the 2015 season, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. His steadiness continued, recording 108 saves over three seasons there. He returned to the All-Star team once more after being left off during his time in San Diego. His ERA with the Red Sox was 2.44 and his ERA+ rose back to 184. In 2019, he became a free agent and signed a deal with the Cubs. For the first two years, he regressed seriously, posting ERAs in between five and seven each year. That said, this season, Craig Kimbrel has found his effectiveness once more. He has truly returned to the top tier of major league relievers.

Players Mentioned: Craig Kimbrel, Nick Madrigal, Codi Heuer

Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images

Caleb Begley

Caleb Begley

Caleb Begley is a 26 year old lover of all things sports, but especially our nation's great national pastime. He holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, and hopes to use it to create a career within the sportscasting realm. While in school, he was able to write and edit for the school paper's sports section, while also helping to anchor and produce the student newscast. As far as baseball itself is concerned, he is always willing to talk about the history of the game, and the statistics and stories that go along with it. He is thrilled to be able to be a part of the Last Word on Baseball team, and he hopes that he is able to contribute something that is both factual and interesting.

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