White Sox Land Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel has been traded to crosstown rivals the Chicago White Sox, who will have the best bullpen in this year's postseason. White Sox manager Tony La Russa has OPTIONS now, but the deal gets even crazier if you check who's involve.
The Cubs get Nick Madrigal and RHP Codi Heuer in return. That's a massive get for a rebuilding Cubs team. Not often you get a big leaguer in exchange for a reliever.
This deal feels A LOT like the trade back in 2016 between the Yankees and Cubs that sent Gleyber Torres to New York for the rental of closer Aroldis Chapman. Except this time the White Sox didn't give up talent for just half a season. They will have control over Kimbrel until the end of next season.
The White Sox are absolutely favorites to come out the American League, considering their bullpen. They have an elite starting rotation, complemented by a dominant back end of a bullpen, and a contact-first offense that plays nicely in October. Kimbrel brings that 0.70 ERA to the south side, which very well could put them over the top -- even over the Dodgers, who are struggling to score runs, in a potential World Series matchup.
This trade deadline is bonkers, guys.