The Hot Stove is heating back up just in time for Opening Day.
Today, the Los Angeles Dodgers found a replacement for Kenley Jansen, who departed for the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves, signing a one-year $16 million deal.
That move left the Dodgers without a bona-fide closer, but today, in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, they found one, acquiring veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel in exchange for outfielder AJ Pollock.
In 63 games last year with the White Sox and the Chicago Cubs prior to the trade deadline, Kimbrel posted a 4-5 record and a 2.26 ERA while also recording 24 saves.
Source confirms: Dodgers acquire Craig Kimbrel from White Sox for A.J. Pollock.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 1, 2022
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So much for the Dodgers not having a closer.
They just continue to find ways to improve their team, and they struck again today.
Who’s to say they don’t have another trick up their sleeves?
Kimbrel, 33, brings veteran experience to a Dodgers bullpen that needs it after losing Jansen.
The Dodgers continue to make moves and now have a true closer to go at the back end of the bullpen.
That was the one thing that the Dodgers were missing, even after signing Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million deal.
This trade reunites Freeman and Kimbrel, who were teammates with the Braves from 2010-2014.
Kimbrel can now slide into the closer’s role with guys such as Daniel Hudson, Brusdar Graterol, Tommy Kahnle, and Blake Treinen there to set him up.
The Dodgers continue to be an elite ballclub with virtually no holes or weaknesses, and this move only further solidifies them as the favorite to win it all in 2022.
We’ll see now if they can fulfill that dream and take home their second title in three years.
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