7 potential trade destinations and returns for Craig Kimbrel

Los Angeles Dodgers 

The best team in the league could use a closer like Craig Kimbrel right now.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have shown they are never afraid to take on salary. They are also trying to maximize their championship window.

After winning the World Series in 2020, then being defeated by the eventual World Series Champions in 2021, the Dodgers need to reload. The team’s long-time closer Kenley Jansen hit free agency this offseason. But after a down year in 2021, the Dodgers may be looking to upgrade.

The Dodgers bullpen is actually pretty good. With Jansen and Joe Kelly departing hitting free agency, the best remaining free-agent option is Ryan Tepera. The White Sox can help their cause by resigning Tepera. Kimbrel is also a better closer than Jansen which may be enough for the Dodgers to bite on a trade.

The Dodgers have five players in Baseball America’s Top-100. They also have nine potential starters so a back end of the rotation guy such as David Price could be in play for the White Sox. However, the Dodgers do not have many high-caliber arms in the rotation outside of Walker Buehler, and Julio Urias. They may be hesitant to part with any of their pitching depth.

Their highest-rated second-base prospect is Michael Busch. Busch is expected to arrive in the show this season. The Dodgers were impressed by his defensive improvements last season so it may be a tough ask but Busch is a very polished hitter who could fit well in the White Sox lineup.

James Outman is another possibility. Despite playing center field for most of his professional career, Outman played right field in college. He has one of the strongest outfield arms in the Dodgers system so he is more than a capable option in right field for the White Sox. He also has great speed and can steal around 20 bases a year which is a skill the White Sox lack.