Chicago White Sox: The best timing of a potential Craig Kimbrel trade

There is still plenty of debate about if the Chicago White Sox are actually prepared to trade relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel. However, if they do, the timing of making that trade could benefit the franchise greatly.

The Chicago White Sox return for Craig Kimbrel could be boosted greatly if he performs well in spring training

After a dreadful showing with the Chicago White Sox after being traded across town by the Chicago Cubs, all eyes will be on Kimbrel in spring training (whenever that might begin, thanks to the current MLB lockout that has completely frozen any player movement and the plans of all 40-man roster members to head to either Arizona or Florida for spring drills).

Will Kimbrel be the pitcher who was dominant with the Cubs before the trade (0.49 ERA, 1.10 FIP, 0.709 WHIP in 36.2 innings) or the one who struggled with the White Sox (5.09 EA, 4.56 FIP, 1.217 WHIP in 23.0 innings)? That’s the biggest question dogging Kimbrel heading into the new season, and one that the White Sox and the 33-year-old right-hander both must find the answer to before discovering the next step in Kimbrel’s career.

Of course, much has been made about the role that Kimbrel had with the Cubs (closer) versus the one he held with the White Sox (setup man). Much has also been made about the words from White Sox general manager Rick Hahn during Major League Baseball’s general manager meetings in Carlsbad, Calif., just before the MLB lockout went into place.

“What we have to figure out is whether it makes the most sense to have Craig in a White Sox uniform going forward or is there a better use of that spot — and him, perhaps — via trade,” Hahn offered. “It didn’t work out the way we wanted last year, so perhaps there is a better use of his skills than how we were doing it. So we have to reconsider his usage with us versus a potential trade.”

So if the White Sox are looking at a “potential trade” for Kimbrel, it would make the most sense for him to prove to any doubters in spring training that he still has the skills that made him so desirable at last year’s trade deadline. By showing the ability to be a dominant closer, Kimbrel can remind other teams just how valuable he can be, as well as boost Chicago’s asking price of any teams wanting his services (he is signed through the 2022 campaign).

Of course, there are plenty of things that could go wrong with that plan, including a shortened spring training because of the lockout and Kimbrel actually not reverting to form. However, even in a worst case scenario, the White Sox could likely hold on to him and make him a part of the back end of a bullpen that has a chance to be quite effective with the acquisition of Kendall Graveman.

As our own David Hill wrote, the White Sox don’t have to trade Kimbrel. However, if they do, letting him show what he can bring to another team in spring training and not trading him until then seems to be the best option for all parties.