The Chicago White Sox And Chicago Cubs Make Huge Trade

The Chicago Cubs have traded Craig Kimbrel to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer. It always interesting when these two make a deal, but this is a true blockbuster.

The #WhiteSox have acquired All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Codi Heuer and second baseman Nick Madrigal. pic.twitter.com/mfDsPKy4uq
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 30, 2021

The White Sox are adding a top-of-the-line reliever to a bullpen that is already very strong. In 39 games this season, Kimbrel has found his old form and currently sports a fantastic 0.49 ERA. He also has 23 saves on the season. He will now form a spectacular one-two punch with Liam Hendriks. Hendriks has a 2.58 ERA on the year and 25 saves himself.

However, the White Sox are also certainly giving up a lot, too. Madrigal is just 24-years-old and was in his second season of his MLB career. A hamstring injury cut it short, but in his short time in the league, he has been fantastic. In just 83 career games, he has 96 hits and a .317 batting average. Although the sample size has been short, it is clear that he is already a very good player. He even has the potential to get better.

Heuer is also a young reliever who is in his second MLB season. In 40 games with the White Sox this year, he has a 4-1 record to go along with a 5.12 ERA. Those aren't the best of numbers, but he was solid in his first season. In 2020, he pitched in 21 games and had a 1.52 ERA. Perhaps he can find his previous success with the Cubs.

Nonetheless, this is a big trade and shows the White Sox want a World Series championship right now. We will see how this trade goes, but the Cubs sure got a nice return for Kimbrel.