Craig Kimbrel trade was low-key genius team chemistry move by Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers needed a closer this offseason after Kenley Jansen left for the Atlanta Braves. Craig Kimbrel wanted to return to his role as the ninth inning man after agreeing to a setup role after he was traded to the Chicago White Sox at last year’s deadline.

This union was long speculated due to the fit and Chicago’s desire to move off of Kimbrel and his $16 million salary for 2022, and both sides worked out a deal last week to make it happen.

On the surface, it’s obviously a smart trade. The Dodgers dealt from a position of strength by sending outfielder AJ Pollock to the White Sox and then upgrading their bullpen in the most significant way possible. But there are other reasons that make this decision even more fitting.

From a team chemistry perspective, the Dodgers are returning Kimbrel to his natural habitat as a closer and will reunite him with a number of his former teammates. Hope you didn’t forget this guy played with Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts for years!

Dodgers’ decision to trade for Craig Kimbrel was more than just his talent

And just look how excited he is to be doing what he does best on a true World Series contender. He hasn’t been able to experience that since 2018, during Boston’s run that ended with the Dodgers loss in the Fall Classic.

As for his relationships with some of the most important Dodgers players, Kimbrel played with Freeman in Atlanta from 2010-2014 and with Betts in Boston from 2016-2018. Both of those stints were notable. Kimbrel led the league in saves and was a four-time All-Star with the Braves from 2011-2014 and was a three-time All-Star in Boston, helping the Sox to three straight AL East titles and a championship.

While Jansen, a franchise legend, departing for an NL rival more than likely had the Dodgers clubhouse feeling some sort of way, bringing in a presence and likely future Hall of Famer should help reverse any bad vibes fairly quickly.

Andrew Friedman thought ahead and replaced Corey Seager’s presence at shortstop with Trea Turner and then addressed the loss of his lefty bat with Freddie Freeman. Kimbrel taking over for Jansen has equal impact. The high-profile departures — outside of Max Scherzer — were fixed with high-profile additions.

That alone should send a message to the roster and let the players know the goal remains a World Series because Friedman won’t let any losses affect morale with the way he’s responded. And it helps Kimbrel has familiarity here because we saw what happens when he has none and has to deal with a role change.

He’ll feel right at home in LA.

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