The White Sox added perhaps the biggest bullpen arm available for a potential World Series run.
And he won’t have to even move.
Before Friday’s trade deadline, the Sox acquired Craig Kimbrel from the Cubs for infielder Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer. Kimbrel has 23 saves and a microscopic 0.49 ERA, and will pair with Liam Hendriks, Michael Kopech and Ryan Tepera to give manager Tony La Russa and the Sox an October-ready bullpen with four powerful right-handed pitchers.
Kimbrel is the latest acquisition by general manager Rick Hahn, who also picked up second baseman Cesar Hernandez from Cleveland and Tepera from the Cubs.
The trade, however, is not without its cost for the Sox. The 24-year-old Madrigal, out for the season with a torn hamstring, was batting .305 before going down and appeared to be the Sox’ second baseman of the future. Heuer, 25, had a 5.12 ERA in 40 games.
“We viewed Craig as the premier relief pitcher available at this trade deadline, and so we knew the cost would be steep in terms of parting with young talent,” Hahn said in a news release. “But we recognize the special opportunity that currently exists and our team, our clubhouse and our fans deserve to know we will do everything we can to reach the postseason and win meaningful games in October.”
Earlier Friday, the Sox added Hernandez and Tepera to the active roster, sending Danny Mendick and Ryan Burr to Triple-A Charlotte.
This story will be updated.
