3 moves for Philadelphia Phillies this offseason
By David Hill
Trade for Craig Kimbrel
Closer has been an ongoing issue for the Philadelphia Phillies, with Hector Neris and a host of others drifting in and out of the role. They need someone capable of locking down the ninth inning, making certain that those leads stand up.
Unfortunately, there is not much available in free agency. Raisel Iglesias is clearly the top option, but he comes with the Qualifying Offer. The secondary options are not overly exciting. Fortunately, there is an option available for trade – Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel was supposed to be the missing piece for the White Sox, a second dominant closer who was slotted into the eighth inning to give Chicago a bullpen buzzsaw. Instead, Kimbrel imploded, failing to recapture the dominant form he had displayed with the Cubs earlier in the year.
At $16 million, and with only four dominant months over the past three seasons, Kimbrel would be a major gamble. He is also a gamble the Phillies need to take. If they are going to make a serious move to contend in 2022, that will involve shoring up the ninth inning. No matter how much of a question mark Kimbrel may be, he would be a better option than anything the Phillies have had in the bullpen since Jonathan Papelbon.
The ninth inning has been an ongoing thorn in the Philadelphia Phillies’ side. Trading for Craig Kimbrel could solve those problems.