Investment In Kimbrel Pays Off As Chicago White Sox Add Pollock

Give Rick Hahn credit for a potentially costly decision he made last fall.

The White Sox committed $16 million on a 2022 contract option for Craig Kimbrel, who failed to add value to their bullpen after a mid-season trade, but on Friday used Kimbrel to answer their biggest question.

Outfielder AJ Pollock comes to the South Side from the Dodgers, who were expected to hit him ninth in their loaded lineup. The 34-year-old hit .297 with 21 home runs in 384 at-bats last season, and figures to be a significant upgrade in right field over Adam Engel and converted first basemen Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets.

While Pollock does cause the White Sox lineup to lean even more to the right side, he adds length to the group built around Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez. He was the Dodgers’ primary left fielder last season, ranking fifth among major league regulars with +3 Defensive Runs Saved.

Pollock is in the last guaranteed year of a four-year, $55-million contract. He will earn $10 million this season. He has a player option to remain with his team for $10 million in 2023, with a $5 million buyout.

White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has been investing in his American League Central powerhouse at unprecedented levels. He took on salary at mid-season last season, with the acquisition of Kimbrel from the Cubs his biggest move.

Hahn believes Kimbrel would play a major role in the bullpen but he struggled as a set-up man. He did not want to give up Kimbrel for nothing — after all, he had sent former first-round pick Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer across town to get him — so he exercised Kimbrel’s contract option. He then kept adding relievers behind closer Liam Hendriks, with free agents Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly signing on.

Kimbrel seems likely to replace the departed Kenley Jansen as the Dodgers’ closer, allowing Blake Treinen to remain in a set-up role. The White Sox were preparing to platoon Vaughn and Sheets in right field, with Engel as an extra outfielder.

Pollock gives them certainty, providing he can make the transition to right field, where he hasn’t played since 2013. Jimenez, the White Sox left fielder, played right in the minor leagues but is viewed as a defensive liability and injury risk.

Pollock won a Gold Glove in 2015 as Arizona’s center field. His presence could pay a dividend down the road, as he has not only played in 34 career postseason games but hit .314 with a .933 OPS in the Dodgers’ 11 games last October.

The Sox have reached the postseason the last two years but went 2-5 against Houston and Oakland in first-round series. They can’t take a third concecutive opportunity for granted but with Pollock should be tougher if they get there.