Chicago White Sox have completed bullpen buzzsaw
When it comes to the postseason, bullpens are of the utmost importance. Starting pitchers have a much shorter leash, and having a dominant bullpen can lead to a championship. That was the case back in 2015, and could prove to be the case again this year if the Chicago White Sox have anything to say about it.
For the second consecutive day, they have bolstered their bullpen in a deal with the Chicago Cubs. This time, they have landed the bullpen prize on the trading block in Craig Kimbrel.
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
The Chicago White Sox bullpen buzzsaw is operational
The cost for Kimbrel was high. According to reports, Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer are heading back to the Cubs. While Madrigal is lost for the season, he would solidify second base for the foreseeable future, allowing the Cubs to slide Nico Hoerner to short.
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The White Sox already had a dominant closer in Liam Hendriks, but this move makes that relief corps all the more formidable. Kimbrel had found his once dominant form again, posting a 0.49 ERA and a 0.709 WHiP in his 36.2 innings, notching 23 saves while striking out 64 batters and issuing 13 walks.
If the bullpen can remain healthy, the White Sox may need their starters to only last four or five innings in the postseason. The duo of Kimbrel and Hendriks will get the majority of the attention, but the White Sox also have Ryan Tepera, Michael Kopech, and Garrett Crochet. While they view Crochet and Kopech as future pieces in the rotation, both have performed well in the bullpen this year.
Kimbrel also sets the White Sox up to have a dominant bullpen next year as well. He is under team control through 2022 should the front office want to pick up his $16 million option. As the rest of the division does not look as though it will challenge the White Sox for the title in the coming year, they may as well set up that postseason bullpen ahead of time.
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The Chicago White Sox are reportedly adding Craig Kimbrel to a loaded relief corps. Their postseason buzzsaw of a bullpen is now complete.