UPDATE (July 30, 11:40 a.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs reportedly discussed pitching propsects Bobby Miller and Ryan Pepiot before Craig Kimbrel was traded to the Chicago White Sox.
The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a trade for Danny Duffy and are on the doorstep of acquiring Max Scherzer and Trea Turner as well, but there’s an expectation the front office is looking to complete another transaction before the 1 p.m. PT deadline on Friday.
That would figure to come in the bullpen, with the Dodgers having been connected to the likes of Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel and Texas Rangers closer Ian Kennedy. The Cubs are well into selling mode, with Andrew Chafin, Ryan Tepera and Anthony Rizzo already traded.
That’s left Kimbrel and Kris Bryant as the next likely to be moved in the final hours before the deadline. The Tampa Bay Rays were reported as being involved in talks with the Cubs on Bryant and Kimbrel, potentially for both players or to acquire just one.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Dodgers also remain the picture for Kimbrel as well:
The #Dodgers remain involved in the Craig Kimbrel pursuit, as I mentioned earlier today on @MLBNetwork. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2021
In addition to the Dodgers and Rays, Kimbrel has reportedly been the subject of trade interest for the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres, among others. When L.A. was previously connected to Kimbrel it was in the context of discussing multiple players with the Cubs.
Kimbrel is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, converting 23 of 25 save opportunities thus far and pitching to a 0.49 ERA, 1.08 FIP and 0.71 WHIP in 39 games. Kimbrel’s 15.7 strikeouts per nine innings are down a notch from last season (16.4) but his 4.92 strikeout to walk ratio is his highest since a 2017 All-Star campaign with the Boston Red Sox.
The 33-year-old has a $16 million team option and $1 million buyout for 2022 remaining on his contract.
Potential Dodgers trade
While the Dodgers have been among the more aggressive buyers at the trade deadline, they reportedly drew interest for Brusdar Graterol. The young right-hander has struggled this season and could become expendable if L.A. was to acquire Kimbrel or Kennedy.
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