Braves: Another Attempt to Bring Craig Kimbrel Back to Atlanta

With the Chicago White Sox potentially looking to move Craig Kimbrel, it could be another chance for him to rejoin the Atlanta Braves.

Ever since the Atlanta Braves traded Craig Kimbrel I’ve been looking for ways for him to return as he’s one of my favorite players of all time.

I also believe he has the potential to be a Hall of Fame closer, and I’d love to see him finish that Hall of Fame career with Atlanta.

The Chicago White Sox picked up Kimbrel’s 2022 team option for $16 million but may move him to try and free up some money for other areas.

History of Kimbrel

In 12 seasons, Kimbrel has a career ERA of 2.18 with 1,026 strikeouts in 628.1 innings, 372 saves, and a WHIP of 0.953.

After a couple of rough seasons with the Cubs in 2019 and 2020, Kimbrel was back to being the best closer in baseball for the first four months of 2021.

He had a 0.49 ERA in 36.2 innings with 64 strikeouts, 23 saves, and a 0.709 WHIP.

Then he was traded to the White Sox and was put in a setup role and really struggled with the transition posting a 5.09 ERA in 23 innings with 36 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.217.

Why Do the Braves Need Kimbrel

Regardless of your feelings on Will Smith, he is not the prototypical shutdown closer with dominant stuff.

That doesn’t mean he can’t get it done, he’s had plenty of success in his career, but Kimbrel is one of the most dominant closers the game has ever seen.

Kimbrel would give the Braves that elite closer and he could help mentor the lefty version of himself in A.J. Minter.

What Would a Braves Trade for Kimbrel Look Like

The White Sox gave up some pretty good talent for Kimbrel in Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer.

While I’m sure they’d love to free up some money by moving him, this wouldn’t be a simple salary dump. They’d need a solid prospect or two in return.

Unfortunately, the Braves don’t really have anything that would fill their current needs — second base and right field.

Maybe Drew Waters, but that seems like an overpay for one year of Kimbrel.

William Contreras seems like a good trade chip here, but the White Sox have Yasmani Grandal for two more seasons.

Maybe a high upside arm like Victor Vodnik or Freddy Tarnok could get it done.

Then there is the issue of the Braves paying big dollars for two closers.

If my dream did come true and they brought Kimbrel back, it may come at the expense of having to trade Will Smith.

Unless the White Sox are willing to pay for some of Kimbrel’s contract in order to get a better prospect in the deal.

Either way you try and draw it up, it seems unlikely. But it would be fun to have Kimbrel back and running out of that bullpen gate in Atlanta again.