The fire sale for the Chicago Cubs continues on as they have now traded star closer Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox.
The Chicago White Sox are finalizing a deal to acquire closer Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago Cubs, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
After trading fan favorite Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees on Thursday, the Cubs kept wheeling and dealing Friday as they sent the best closer on the market away to the White Sox.
Kimbrel is in the midst of a huge bounce back season and will carry that momentum with him. In 39 appearances with the Cubs, Kimbrel has a mind-boggling ERA of 0.49 and has allowed a grand total of two earned runs in 36.2 innings pitched. He has been a lockdown closer on the backend for Chicago and now he's on the move.
It's a big get for the White Sox as they look to make a big push into the postseason and beyond. Adding the top closer on the market will only boost their chances. They now have arguably the best bullpen in baseball.
For the Cubs, trading Kimbrel seemed inevitable and they had already traded reliever Ryan Tepara to their crosstown rivals earlier in the week.
Owner Tom Ricketts and the Cubs' front office weren't willing to offer extensions to many of their core players and the result has become a full on sale of all their top players. It's left fans frustrated and angry but Chicago realizes they can't let these guys like Rizzo and Bryant and Kimbrel walk for nothing in free agency.
It's a big get for the White Sox and it's another big name gone from the availability list as the MLB Trade Deadline nears its end. For the Cubs and their fans, they'll have to keep their fingers crossed that some of these prospects they are getting in return for these trades work out.
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