The Chicago White Sox went to their neighbors for MLB trade deadline help.
The White Sox added All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to their already formidable bullpen, sending second baseman Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer to the Cubs, who completed their teardown on a busy Friday afternoon.
The 33-year-old Kimbrel has an 0.49 ERA and 23 saves this season and will join Liam Hendriks to form a lights-out closer pairing for the AL Central-leading White Sox.
“We viewed Craig as the premier relief pitcher available at this trade deadline, and so we knew the cost would be steep in terms of parting with young talent,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. “But we recognize the special opportunity that currently exists and our team, our clubhouse and our fans deserve to know we will do everything we can to reach the postseason and win meaningful games in October.”
For the Cubs, it was the continuation of a fire sale that hastened as the 4 p.m. trade deadline closed in. Before trading Kimbrel, they sent fan-favorite Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees for prospects and also traded away third baseman Kris Bryant to the Giants, and infielder Javier Baez to the Mets.
Here’s a look at where the major names went at Friday’s MLB Trade Deadline:
Jose Berrios traded to Blue Jays
The Blue Jays kept Berrios away from the Mets with a trade package that included catcher Austin Martin and pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson going to Minnesota.
While Berrios is in the middle of a strong season — he has a 3.48 ERA and a career-best 25.7% strikeout rate over 20 starts and 121 innings — the Twins got themselves Martin, the No. 5 overall pick in 2020 and was the Blue Jays No. 2 prospect, and Woods Richardson, a 2018 Mets pick who was the No. 4 prospect in Toronto’s system.
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Mets acquire Javier Baez
The Mets have are operating as the big-market team that owner Steve Cohen envisioned when he purchased the team last summer. Shortstop Javier Baez, the two-time All-Star, along with pitcher Trevor Williams go to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in 2020.
Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler all heading to Braves
Duvall, 32, joins the Braves with the Miami Marlins receiving catcher Alex Jackson in return, while Soler will bring his big bat to Atlanta from the Royals.
Duvall and Soler were also joined by Eddie Rosario — coming from Cleveland — and Joc Pederson as a reimagined outfield following Ronald Acuna Jr.’s season-ending injury. The Braves are currently four games back from the first-place Mets.
Oakland Athletics add Josh Harrison
After trading for Starling Marte, the A’s were not done making moves. They sent Drew Millas, Seth Shuman and Richard Guasch to the Nationals in exchange for Josh Harrison and catcher Yan Gomes, bolstering their big-league depth.
The Nationals dove head-first into their rebuild after trading away Max Scherzer, Trea Turner and Brad Hand.
J.A Happ and Jon Lester to the St. Louis Cardinals
The Twins continued their teardown, shipping J.A Happ to the Cardinals for lefty pitcher Evan Sisk and right-handed pitcher John Gant. St. Louis also took advantage of the Nats’ sell-off, picking up veteran Jon Lester.
Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy moved to the Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies’ deadline was all about the arms. Currently 3.5 games behind the Mets for first place in a tight NL East, Philly added Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy, and Hans Crouse, shoring up their rotation and bullpen in a single move.
The Rangers got Spencer Howard — the No. 42 prospect before the 2021 season — and Kevin Gowdy in the exchange.
Yankees trade for Andrew Heaney
After acquiring Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo, the Yankees did some work on their pitching staff. Heaney heads from Anaheim to The Bronx for the price of Janson Junk, the No. 27 prospect in Yankees’ system, and Elvis Peguero.
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Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants
And this should conclude the Cubs’ teardown. The Cubs send yet another superstar in Kris Bryant to the Giants for outfielder Alexander Canario, the No. 9 prospect for the Giants, and pitcher Caleb Killian.
The emotional transaction marks the end of an era in Chicago, one that saw a World Series championship in 2016.
Big-name players staying put
A plethora of stars were traded in this year’s crazy deadline. However, there were a bunch of players who were rumored to be on the move but are staying put. After being connected to both the Mets and Yankees, Trevor Story will continue to play for the Colorado Rockies, as will Jon Gray. The Royals’ Whit Merrifield and the Twins’ Byron Buxton, Josh Donaldson and Andrelton Simmons are all staying put.