Chicago Cubs: How have team’s trade departures fared with new clubs?

Former Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel hasn’t been what the Sox hoped for

A move that came seemingly out of nowhere, the White Sox added Craig Kimbrel to a bullpen that already had Liam Hendriks in the closer role with the hopes Kimbrel would be able to pitch in either the eighth or ninth, depending on the situation. The results thus far however, have been disastrous.

After giving up just one home run in 2021 leading up to the trade, Kimbrel has already surrendered four with his new team in just 14 games, an issue eerily similar to his nightmarish 2019 campaign. His ERA with the White Sox is 12 times as high as it was on the Cubs and his WHIP has ballooned as well.

It’s truly been a tale of two seasons for the veteran, who looked like he finally figured everything out again early on in the year. With the Cubs, Kimbrel put up a 0.49 ERA and 1.09 FIP en route to the eighth All-Star selection of his career before getting dealt ahead of the deadline.

The White Sox desperately need Kimbrel to right the ship, as their bullpen could be elevated to a new level if he does, and a move to the closer role may be the only solution.