Boston Red Sox rumors: 3 Cubs players to target at MLB Trade Deadline
Boston Red Sox Trade Target No. 2: Craig Kimbrel
After posting a combined 5.91 ERA over the past two seasons, it’s safe to say Craig Kimbrel is back to his dominant ways this season. Kimbrel has been absolutely lights out for the Cubs this season, posting a miniscule 0.57 ERA to go along with 20 saves. As a result, Kimbrel is likely going to be one of the most desirable pitchers available at the trade deadline.
Red Sox fans should be very familiar with Kimbrel after his three All-Star seasons with Boston from 2016-2018. Kimbrel may have left a somewhat bad taste in Boston fans mouths after he got rocked around for most of the 2018 World Series run, although it never really came back to hurt the team in the end considering they won a championship. Regardless, it wasn’t surprising to see Kimbrel depart after the 2018 season for Chicago.
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It’s safe to say Kimbrel made Chicago look foolish through the first two seasons of his deal. He only pitched in 41 games over the first two seasons of his deal, and even when he was on the mound he struggled mightily. It seemed like Chicago was set to be strapped to a useless Kimbrel for another season, until he put together one of the best comeback seasons in the majors this season.
Now Chicago finds themselves in a much better situation than they were in last year with Kimbrel. Kimbrel’s performance has made it so that they can atleast get something of value in return if they decide to move him, which seems increasingly likely with each loss Chicago endures.
Kimbrel’s return won’t be excessive however, given he’s already 34 and could be a free agent as soon as this offseason depending on the team option in his deal for next season. That means Boston should be in the running for the elite reliever as the trade deadline approaches.
Sure, Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino have been great so far this season, but you can never have too many options out of the bullpen. With guys like Matt Andriese and Brandon Workman struggling, having another weapon like Kimbrel that you can use in high leverage situations before the ninth inning would be a huge advantage for the Boston bullpen. It may be in a different role, but a reunion between Kimbrel and the Red Sox would be a welcome sight in Boston.