GLENDALE, Ariz. — The committee has been dismissed.
The Dodgers’ plan to replace all-time saves leader Kenley Jansen with a collective at closer took a turn Friday morning when they instead completed a trade with the Chicago White Sox for right-hander Craig Kimbrel. Outfielder AJ Pollock will go to the White Sox.
Only two pitchers in baseball history have struck out 1,000 batters in fewer than 700 innings. The Dodger have now replaced one (Jansen) with the other (Kimbrel).
An eight-time All-Star, the 33-year-old Kimbrel has had five seasons with 40 saves or more. Kimbrel ranks ninth all-time with 372 saves recorded for the Braves, Padres, Red Sox, Cubs and White Sox.
Kimbrel is scheduled to make $16 million this season after the White Sox activated a club option in his contract, taking the Dodgers’ payroll even higher in 2022.
Pollock spent three seasons with the Dodgers, batting .282 with an .856 OPS and 65 home runs. Last year was his best season with the Dodgers. He hit .297 with 21 home runs and 69 RBI in 117 games.
More to come on this story …
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