UPDATE (April 1, 9:35 a.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their trade with the Chicago White Sox, acquiring Craig Kimbrel in exchange for AJ Pollock.
The Los Angeles Dodgers did not make any trades prior to the start of the MLB lockout last December and thus had to wait more than three months before they were able to make a deal.
Although they didn’t previously trade this offseason, the team was able to re-sign Chris Taylor and add Andrew Heaney and Daniel Hudson before the work stoppage. When a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was put into place, the Dodgers focused on continuing to fill out their roster via free agency.
Though that also saw the departure of Kenley Jansen, who signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. That left the Dodgers without a designated closer and manager Dave Roberts suggested the team would rely on multiple relief pitchers to fill the role.
However, that appears to have changed. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Dodgers traded AJ Pollock to the Chicago White Sox for Craig Kimbrel:
The Dodgers have traded AJ Pollock to the White Sox for Craig Kimbrel, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 1, 2022
Kimbrel is in the final year of his deal and set to earn a $16 million salary this season, which is the same amount Jansen signed for. While the Dodgers had interest in re-signing Jansen, they reportedly were looking to first shed salary.
Pollock fell 11 plate appearances shy of being eligible to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract following the 2021 season. Thus, he remained under contract with the Dodgers for $10 million this season (though $12 million on the payroll, which is calculated by average annual value).
Pollock’s contract includes a $10 million player option ($5 million buyout) for the 2023 season.
Impact of Pollock-Kimbrel trade for Dodgers
Acquiring Kimbrel most notably gives the Dodgers a clearly defined closer and allows them to keep Blake Treinen in the club’s preferred fireman role.
With respect to left field, trading Pollock creates more opportunities for Gavin Lux and Chris Taylor, but also removes the team of some balance by losing a right-handed bat.
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