Last week, a report came out that the Philadelphia Phillies are one of the teams that are heavily interested in Craig Kimbrel. It makes sense as the Chicago White Sox picked up his team option with the intention of trading him during the offseason.
The White Sox acquired the Hall of Fame closer at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer. It is a trade that hasn’t really worked out for the White Sox as they didn’t use Kimbrel the right way during his time on the south side.
They are hoping to salvage losing Madrigal and Heuer by either getting a good return for Kimbrel or seeing him pitch well if they decide to keep him. The White Sox bullpen could certainly use him in 2022 if they never trade him but it certainly sounds like there is interest in his services.
Philadelphia makes a lot of sense for a lot of different reasons. Dave Dombrowski is there making decisions for them now and he has already acquired Kimbrel in a trade once in his career. A reunion might be on the horizon as they have that connection along with the fact that the Phillies could really use a closer.
Phillies need two OFs and a SP (or two), but closer is a priority. On their wish list: Josh Hader, Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen. Since Brewers would require a haul for Hader and Jansen loves LA, their best shot might be Kimbrel, who has a Dombrowski tie (Boston) @MLBNetwork
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 19, 2021
The Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies could make a Craig Kimbrel trade.
If the Phillies added someone like Kimbrel, their bullpen would take a significant step forward if they used him right. He has to be used with a lead in the 9th inning. He proved on the White Sox that he isn’t a setup man in any way. If they feel that he can be good for them in 2022 so they can make it to the playoffs, these three trades could get it done: