The rich got richer on Friday.
The Los Angeles Dodgers sent outfielder AJ Pollock to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for reliever Craig Kimbrel.
The White Sox had a surplus of relievers and needed an outfielder, and the Dodgers had several outfielders and wanted to make their bullpen even nastier.
That’s what they did: they improved an already rock-solid unit, and the Dodgers’ bullpen now looks like a top-three unit.
ESPN insider Jeff Passan went through the names, and the bullpen really looks incredible.
“Dodgers bullpen: Craig Kimbrel, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia, Justin Bruihl, Victor Gonzalez, Tyler Anderson, David Price. They also expect Dustin May, Danny Duffy, Tommy Kahnle and Phil Bickford back at some point. The Dodgers’ pitching depth is enormous,” Passan said.
Dodgers bullpen
Craig Kimbrel
Blake Treinen
Daniel Hudson
Brusdar Graterol
Alex Vesia
Justin Bruihl
Victor Gonzalez
Tyler Anderson
David PriceThey also expect Dustin May, Danny Duffy, Tommy Kahnle and Phil Bickford back at some point.
The Dodgers' pitching depth is enormous.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 1, 2022
Basically, the Dodgers are replacing the departing Kenley Jansen, who signed with the Atlanta Braves, with Kimbrel.
The Dodgers Have Amazing Quality And Depth In Their Pitching Corps
Additionally, Kimbrel, who had a 2.26 ERA last year with the Chicago Cubs and the White Sox, is expected to be the primary option to close games.
Just looking at some of those pitchers’ numbers gives you an idea about how good their relief corps are.
For example, Treinen had a 1.99 ERA and throws a 99-mph turbo sinker.
Vesia had a 2.25 ERA last season, and Bruihl a 2.89 mark.
Kahnle was a beast with the Yankees in the last few years before missing the whole 2021 campaign after a long injury recovery, and Duffy is a versatile hurler who can start or pitch in relief.
Even without Trevor Bauer in case he is suspended by MLB, the Dodgers are well set up to get outs and have a dominant staff.
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