MLB Twitter is going nuts after Cubs traded Craig Kimbrel to White Sox for Nick Madrigal
The Chicago White Sox pulled off quite the move on Friday, trading for star Chicago Cubs pitcher Craig Kimbrel.
In one of the biggest trades this week, the Chicago White Sox showcased just how serious they are about going after a pennant by acquiring star hurler Craig Kimbrel from the crosstown Chicago Cubs. Make no mistake about it, this was a massive deadline day move by the White Sox front office.
With the team in the middle of a great first year of Tony La Russa in charge, this Kimbrel move could really help send them over the top. As you might have been able to guess, folks are going nuts on Twitter after things went down.
Folks are going nuts on Twitter after Craig Kimbrel was traded to the White Sox
While Kimbrel had been linked with multiple clubs, including the Dodgers, the White Sox were able to win the sweepstakes. Goodness, it must be a fantastic day to be a fan of the AL Central leaders.
White Sox plan to give both Kimbrel and Hendriks save opportunities. With short season last year, they believe this move will help them protect both their starters and relievers. Also have option to retain Kimbrel next season for $16M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2021
The White Sox were looking for bullpen help, and goodness did they get it.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks. Liam Hendriks and Craig Kimbrel.
They’re running away with the AL Central. And they are very, very scary now in October.@Michael_Cerami had Kimbrel to Sox.
Craig Kimbrel has the most saves of any active reliever. Liam Hendriks is an All-Star closer. Tony La Russa will have some fascinating late-game decisions. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2021
Huge. #Cubs trading Rizzo more emotional but #WhiteSox getting Kimbrel most significant deal in town this week. Sox now have two of the best closers in baseball--in the same bullpen. Dynamic tricky in 9th, but up to TLR to figure it out. Rick Hahn steps up, aggressively. Wow. https://t.co/dCm1Kk5T1X
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) July 30, 2021
OH MY GOD THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER @whitesox https://t.co/1AfguGTMgt
— Leila Rahimi (@leilarahimi) July 30, 2021
Rest of White Sox pen is very talented (Kopech and others), too, but Hendriks and Kimbrel give them one of the best 1-2 combos ever @Michael_Cerami first to have deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2021
The bullpen just got a lot better. Craig Kimbrel is now a member of the White Sox. The price was high but any doubt the Sox are going for it should be put to rest with this deal. Madrigal and Heuer going back to the Cubs. Great deal
— Steve Stone (@stevestone) July 30, 2021
The #Cubs will receive second baseman Nick Madrigal and pitcher Codi Heuer from the #WhiteSox for Craig Kimbrel.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2021
With the White Sox acquiring Craig Kimbrel for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer the full scale rebuild is on. Madrigal will be a very good player for the #Cubs. The White Sox paid a big price but they can win the World Series this year. Great trade for both teams. #TakeThat
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) July 30, 2021
Rest of White Sox pen is very talented (Kopech and others), too, but Hendriks and Kimbrel give them one of the best 1-2 combos ever @Michael_Cerami first to have deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2021
As much as this might sting for Cubs fans, it’s clear they’re sellers right now and are building toward the future. That’s why getting Nick Madrigal as part of the return for Kimbrel is massive. Madrigal may be out for the year, but the stud second baseman has quite the future ahead of him. Back in 2018, he was the No. 4 overall pick in the MLB Draft.
As for the White Sox, having Kimbrel in the bullpen along with Liam Hendriks and others is crazy to even think about. Come the postseason, those two standouts will be crucial for the White Sox’s hopes of winning it all. If you were debating jumping on the White Sox bang wagon, the time is now to hop on.
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