Tag: craig kimbrel

Dodgers Bullpen: More Thoughts on the 2023 Closer Role

Published on by Dennis Schlossman3 Comments

For the first time in what could be decades, the Los Angeles Dodgers will apparently begin regular season play without a designated closer. Of course, this idea could change as the year progresses — or even by the end of Cactus League play. But, for now, all indications are the team will employ a closer-by-committee strategy that enables the coaching staff to utilize the bullpen more on specific matchups rather than a role-by-inning approach.

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Thoughts About the Dodgers’ Closer Situation

Published on by Andy Lane Chapman16 Comments

As Los Angeles Dodgers fans well remember, the front office made a somewhat surprising trade right before the season started, in which they sent outfielder AJ Pollock to the Chicago White Sox, straight up, for Craig Kimbrel.

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Can Dodgers Succeed in Playoffs With Craig Kimbrel as Closer?

Published on by Dennis Schlossman38 Comments

While the Los Angeles Dodgers have been the focus on nearly every potential trade chip so far this summer, adding a reliable reliever or two to the bullpen has been one of the most popular topics of discussion across the baseball blogosphere.

Even the most informed reporters and analysts in the media have a difficult time predicting trades without a reliable source of inside information. It’s hard to hypothesize how a rival general manager views their team’s needs, much less the actual trade value of the player departing. Occasionally, we’ll see a deal reported as a sure thing reach an impasse because both sides are unable to arrive at an agreement.

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Let’s Talk About the Dodgers Bullpen

Published on by Andy Lane Chapman11 Comments

If you had told Los Angeles Dodgers fans on Thursday, before the start of the four game series with the San Diego Padres, that the Dodgers would take three of four, most would be incredibly happy with that.

Indeed, that is something to be happy about. The Dodgers increased their lead in the NL West by two games and now are 3.5 games ahead of the Padres.

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More Thoughts on Dodgers Bullpen as Trade Deadline Approaches

Published on by Dennis Schlossman12 Comments

With righty reliever Daniel Hudson going down to what is possibly a season-ending knee injury on Friday night, many fans of the Dodgers are wondering how the team plans to compensate over the long term.

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Kimbrel, Dodgers Fall to Guardians in Weekend Series

Published on by Dennis Schlossman25 Comments

In another game that was very much winnable, the Dodgers fell to the Guardian’s in Sunday’s finale, allowing Cleveland to take the series at Dodger Stadium two games to one.

About the only good news of the entire series was seeing a healthy and happy Sandy Koufax, with the club mustering a decent effort on Saturday to commemorate the legendary southpaw’s incredible legacy with the franchise.

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Dodgers Acquire Craig Kimbrel from White Sox for AJ Pollock, Plus 2022 Record Prediction

Published on by Jose G. Quevedo34 Comments

As I was writing the article I had previously started, there was some breaking news happening. At first I believed it was an April Fools joke, but it is not.

Mark Feinsand has reported that the Dodgers have traded outfielder AJ Pollock to the White Sox for reliever Craig Kimbrel. The Dodgers will also play part of Pollock’s deal in the contract.

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