MLB Rumors: White Sox closing in on trade for Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel?
By Josh Hill
The Cubs and White Sox apparently aren’t done doing business with each other ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline.
As the MLB Trade Deadline approaches on Friday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs continue to assess any and all deals that will net them the best return for selling off their stars.
Emphasis on any and all deals.
It’s not every day that the Cubs partner up with their South Side brothers to make a trade, but it sounds like it might happen twice in 24 hours.
According to ESPN Chicago’s David Kaplan, the Cubs and White Sox are discussing a second trade before the deadline passes, this one involving Craig Kimbrel.
“Multiple sources have confirmed that the Cubs and White Sox are continuing to have discussions that would send Craig Kimbrel to the Sox,” Kaplan reported on Friday. “Price is steep. Several suitors. Stay tuned. The next two-and-a-half hours will get crazy.”
There’s no greater signal of chaos than the Cubs and White Sox getting together for a trade.
One crosstown trade is already in the books ahead of the deadline, with Ryan Tepera going from North to South in a deal on Thursday. But moving Kimbrel to their crosstown rivals would be the surest sign of them all of just how desperate the Cubs are to sell and rebuild at the deadline.
The White Sox landing Kimbrel would be a massive boost to a bullpen in serious need of assistance. The only two pitchers worth much right now are All-Star Liam Hendriks and former starter Michael Kopech. The Sox are poised for a deep postseason run, with Eloy Jiminez back in the lineup and Luis Robert slated to be ready for a return at the start of October