The market is heating up for star reliever Craig Kimbrel, who looks likely to wind up traded before this afternoon’s deadline. With the Cubs moving players off the big league roster, there’s little reason to hold onto Kimbrel at a time when his value is almost certainly at its apex.
The eight-time All-Star is having as good a season as he’s ever had, pitching to an incredible 0.49 ERA/1.83 SIERA over 36 2/3 innings. He’s playing out the year on a $16MM salary (around $5.6MM of which is still owed) and is under team control next season via a club option at a matching price. Unsurprisingly, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets that multiple teams are in conversations with the Cubs regarding the 32-year-old.
Here’s the latest chatter on Kimbrel:
Latest Updates
- While the Dodgers are “kicking around” the idea of adding Kimbrel, his landing in L.A. seems unlikely, reports Rosenthal. The Rays, whom Rosenthal reported this morning have been in talks with the Cubs about both Kimbrel and Kris Bryant, remain involved.
Earlier Reports
- Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported that the Dodgers were exploring the market earlier this week, and they have continued interest, he reiterates today. It has been a whirlwind deadline season for Los Angeles, who has already added Danny Duffy and is apparently soon to acquire Trea Turner and Max Scherzer.
- The White Sox already picked up one quality reliever from the Cubs — Ryan Tepera — yesterday. They’re apparently at least kicking around the idea of making another move with their crosstown rivals. The two Chicago clubs are having discussions about a potential Kimbrel deal, reports David Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago (on Twitter).
- Kimbrel’s first club, the Braves, checked in on a reunion, reports Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic (Twitter link). However, Atlanta does not “see itself as a factor” in the market at the moment.
White Sox!
He can set up for Hendriks!
Lol a $16m set-up guy!
Go get him, Blue Jays!
Agree! He’s controllable for another year, and looking at the roster 2022 is probably the ideal year for the Jays to go all-in.
Phillies most obvious need, but don’t have anything to give.
Andrew Friedman is drunk with power. My goodness.
No, it’s just beer. I promise.
So much to hate about Friedman, so little time, ‘ey BlueSkies?
Checked your sense of humor at the door today, did you?
are the Giants going to do anything???!!!
They should and hope they do.
They don’t need to when they have the best record in baseball.
@dmcelveen, don’t get me wrong…I am thrilled about where the a giants are as of today. Yet, both the Padres and the Dodgers are very close behind and both teams have made huge moves in the past three days to bolster Thier teams down the stretch. I am happy Farhan is being very careful in preserving our pen that he has worked hard to build up…..but I do believe we need reinforcements to stay competitive down the stretch. I was hoping for a Bryant and Kimbrel pickup, but….all is quiet on the NorCal western front. We’ll see…
Mets better get him or Rodriguez from the pirates
The White Sox should be all-in for Kimbrel in order to maximize their chances for a World Series in 2021 AND 2022.
With both Kimbrel AND Liam Hendriks at the backend of their bullpen, the White Sox would possess the deepest pitching staff in the AL, at least this year. They should also be able to satisfy the Cubs with a mix of controllable young talent from their MLB 40-man roster that appears to be a surplus from among RP Codi Heuer, 3B Jake Burger and 1B Gavin Sheets along with near MLB ready prospects like RF Micker Adolfo and SP Jonathan Stiever. The White Sox also have some young power arms at A-ball that could be added to the equation if the Cubs decide to focus on rebuilding over retooling.
I hope Kimbrel and Bryant and cash for all their salary are packaged to the Rays. They’ve got so many good prospects.
The Sox prospect cupboard is practically empty. Adolfo and Stiever are the new Frazier and Andujar. Sox fans’ proposals always start with them. Burger and Sheets are DHs. Heuer: dime a dozen reliever.
I would revolt if Sheets were traded, but those other guys seem expendable.
The only thing I like about Jake Burger is he has half of my last name. Different spelling. Haven’t seen him play so I can’t judge him on that.
Guessing for a chance to improve World Series chances names like Kopech, Vaighn, and Crochet are being asked about.
Welp, Kimbrel to the White Sox.
Sounds like it’s a done deal.
LOL I had a feeling Casablanca Rick was still shopping on the North side.Burger,Lambert Rutherford.Its steep But’ that’s what it will just about take.
Why are the white sox in on kimbrel. Hendriks is a solid closer. Why are the cubs trying to make the white sox better? That’s even worse.
White Sox bullpen has been inconsistent all year from top to bottom.
Can never have too much pitching!
Can trade him over the winter if they want for more!
Please. The Cubs aren’t trying to make the Sox better. The Cubs are trying to make the Cubs better. He’s not going without a significant haul back.
Burger has good glove & cannon arm @ 3b,his swing/power plays.The talk on here he is a DH is absolute joke.
BTW, when is the actual deadline today?
3 pm Central
Cheaters send their paperwork in later.
Thanks for the info and the editorial! 😉
4:00 ET
A big “thank you” to whoever deleted Weber’s stupid “first” comment. That guy/girl adds absolutely nothing to the community.