MLB trade grade: White Sox win Craig Kimbrel sweepstakes in crosstown trade with Cubs
By John Buhler
The Chicago White Sox have officially won the Craig Kimbrel sweepstakes.
In a bit of a shock, the Chicago White Sox were able to pry All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel away from the crosstown rival Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline.
Kimbrel was having an incredible year on the North Side, but will now be playing for a serious World Series contender on the South Side. This is a massive, massive get for the White Sox, who have every intention on getting to and winning the World Series this year.
SOURCE: I'm hearing Craig Kimbrel has been traded to the Chicago White Sox.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) July 30, 2021
The White Sox sent Nick Madrigal to the Cubs for Kimbrel. Madrigal is out for the year with a hamstring injury, but the former first-rounder represents a nice haul for the crosstown rivals.
The White Sox paid a massive price for Craig Kimbrel: second baseman Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
When I said at the top of the show that Cubs had the chance to remake themselves for the next five years in the next two hours, this is what I meant.
Craig Kimbrel to White Sox, Nick Madgrial to Cubs trade grades
This is one of those rare deals that helps both teams out a ton. The White Sox have solidified their bullpen by adding arguably the best closer in the game. Chicago does plan to use Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks in save situations the rest of the way. While Madrigal is out for the season, he was the former No. 4 overall pick just a few years ago. He is a cornerstone the Cubs can build around.
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
Here is how the media reacted to the massive crosstown trade between the Cubs and the White Sox involving Kimbrel and Madrigal.
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
It is safe to say that we are giving both of these teams an A for this blockbuster trade.
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