Major League Baseball trade rumor: Old Craig Kimbrel will be the closing prize for the Astros, Team A, and others
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The biggest question about Craig Kimbrel entering the 2021 season is not “Where will the Cubs trade him?” But “Did he do it as an effective reliever?”
The Chicago team signed him a three-year contract in June 2019, which includes a 2022 club option-remember that long delay because the club waited until June to avoid Kimbrel’s accompanying draft Compensation? ——He was a disaster from the beginning. Kimbrel had a career ERA of 1.91 before signing with Chicago. His ERA in 2019 was 6.53, and in the shortened 2020 season it was 5.28.
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He still defeated a large number of batsmen, but his position was out of control-24 times in 36 innings in two seasons, a 6.0 BB/9 ratio.
But in 2021, his 33-year-old season, he has always been the old-fashioned Kimbrel. His walking rate fell back to 2.8 per 9 innings (his career stat before the Cubs was 3.5), and he still hit a large number of batters-54 hits in 31 2/3 innings. ERA is a shiny 0.57, FIP is excellent at 1.12, WHIP is stingy at 0.663, he has 20 saves out of 22 chances.
But the Cubs will not go anywhere in 2021, and many competitive teams can use a closer approach. Kimbrel has a $16 million club option, which is not cheap, but if he pitches like so far in 2021, it will be worth it.
Here are six teams that should be of interest.
6. Reds
Why is he suitable: Yes, the Cubs may be unlikely to trade with the Reds. But the Reds have a good offense and huge problems in the bullpen, so maybe they have the motivation to make the Cubs worth a try? Even this is questionable. Nevertheless, this special demand is still great, so it is worth mentioning. Amir Garrett, close to this season, has been struggling (6.92 ERA). Lucas Sims has seven saves, but he also has a 5.02 ERA and is on the IL. Tejay Antone performed very well when healthy (1.87 ERA, 11.2 K/9), but he was also on IL.
As a group, Cincy rescuers have an ERA of 5.22 and FIP of 4.81. As we mentioned, Kimbrel’s ERA is 0.57 and FIP is 1.12. Yes, he will be perfect.
5. Red Sox
Why is he suitable: Kimbrel had a great year in Boston (2017), two years were good, but not so good (2016 and 2018), but there ended his 2018 World Series championship. Kimbrel performed well in the 2018 playoffs, not scoring four times and allowed to run on his five outings. Although he was walking a tightrope in October of that year, he shot 6 from 6 field goal attempts in terms of save opportunities.
And, yes, there is a closer guy in Boston now, who will travel to Denver to participate in the Matt Barnes All-Star Game. However, if the goal is to win everything, then there cannot be too many locked weapons behind the bullpen.
4. Blue Jays
Why is he suitable: The problem with the Toronto — uh, Buffalo — bullpen is that most rescuers either struggle or land in Illinois. This is a rough punch or two that needs to be overcome. Jordan Romano performed well on the back end (1.76 ERA, six saves in seven), but he is one of only two substitutes on the roster, and has cast more than six games for the club. The accountability rate is south of 4.44. Damn. However, this is a talented team that can enter the playoffs and last until October. However, if there is no more stability in the bullpen, this will not happen.
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3. Phillies
Why is he suitable: Remember the last time the Phillies were competitors — or competitor pretenders — they had a rock-solid bullpen? I do not have either. The Phillies have been hovering around 0.500 for most of the season, but this puts them close to the NL Eastern Conference title-they are four games behind the Mets, but are 7 1/2 behind in the second game-Card Point-they really want to make the playoffs for the first time in the Bryce Harper era. Their rescuers are not as bad as they were in 2020, but that doesn’t mean much. Giving Kimbrel the ninth inning can help the entire unit find a long-lost rhythm.
2. Athletics
Why is he suitable: We are not the only ones who think this is appropriate.
Speaking of a senior Major League Baseball executive, the Red Sox may be Craig Kimbrel’s natural foothold. He pushed back, and speculated that Kimbrel’s destination would come down to the Astros or the track team. Kimbrel will become the most coveted participant in the trade market.
-Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 6, 2021
A’s knows they need to be behind the bullpen, which is why they signed closer Trevor Rosenthal this offseason. But Rosenthal will not pitch for A in 2021. He underwent thoracic outlet surgery in April and then announced this week that he will undergo hip surgery, thus ending his season. Lou Trevino and Jake Diekman made a total of 20 saves this year, but they also made 6 saves together. The Oakland bullpen is not a disaster like some of the teams on this list, but it may not be good enough to be promoted in October. This is the club’s goal.
1. an astronaut
Why is he suitable: With the club approaching, Ryan Pressly performed very well-1.50 ERA, 9.2 K/BB, 15 saves out of 16 chances-but the rest of the bullpen has been… well, we can say This is not an advantage. Even if the Astros added Kimbrel, they could also consider adding other weapons. This is a club motivated to win everything in 2021 to show that their previous success-including the 2017 World Series championship-is not just because of cheating. Nevertheless, you know, they must have cheated.
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