(670 The Score) The White Sox’s acquisition of AJ Pollock in a trade that sent reliever Craig Kimbrel to the Dodgers on Friday does more than just address a void in right field in the mind of general manager Rick Hahn.
“We are thrilled to add a player of AJ Pollock's caliber to this roster,” Hahn said. “We view him as making us better both offensively and defensively. He will provide us with some real flexibility and depth as we progress through the peaks and valleys of the season. This is very much about roster depth."
Pollock hit .297 with 21 homers, 69 RBIs and an .892 OPS in 117 games for the Dodgers last season. He’ll get a fair share of playing time in right field, where Gavin Sheets and Andrew Vaughn are set to get at-bats too.
Pollock has only appeared in six games in right field in his 10-year MLB career, but he’s a quality defender with plenty of experience in center field. Pollock won a Gold Glove in 2015.
“He is a quality hitter,” Hahn said. “We all know what he is capable of doing defensively. I have already had a handful of meetings with Tony (La Russa) and the coaches how we are going to mix him in as well get Eloy (Jimenez), (Luis) Robert, Sheets and Vaughn their opportunities to play. We are excited by the addition, and I think he makes us a better team.”
Pollock is owed $10 million in base salary in 2022 – the White Sox will absorb that – and has a $10-million player option with a $5-million buyout in 2023. The Dodgers will assume all $16 million of Kimbrel’s salary in 2022.
Pollock could also get time at designated hitter in addition to the outfield.
"If we are fortunate with good health the rest of the season, it will mean we have too many good bats at the position (in the outfield)," Hahn said. "I look forward to embracing that issue. If we have an occasional setback and a guy needs to be out in the DH spot to rest his legs or recover from the grind of the season, (we can do that). We have the flexibility to move guys around the diamond and are confident Tony and his staff will put them in the best position to succeed.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.