(670 The Score) The White Sox’s experiment of using reliever Craig Kimbrel as a setup man failed, and his tenure with the organization isn’t expected to last much longer.
The White Sox are expected to pick up Kimbrel’s $16-million team option for 2022 but also trade him at some point this offseason, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported Wednesday morning.
Kimbrel, 33, posted a 5.09 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 24 appearances for the White Sox, who acquired him from the Cubs in late July in exchange for second baseman Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer. Kimbrel was never comfortable in his setup role as he was primarily used in the seventh and eighth innings of games. He had been dominant as the Cubs’ closer in 2021, posting a 0.49 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 39 appearances before being traded.
After adding Kimbrel, the White Sox continued to give the ninth-inning duties to All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, who's under contract through 2023 with a team option for 2024.