The Los Angeles Dodgers made a significant trade on Friday, acquiring pitchers Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn from the Chicago White Sox, according to sources. This move is expected to bolster the Dodgers’ pitching staff as they make a push for the playoffs.
In exchange for Kelly and Lynn, the Dodgers are sending right-hander Trayce Thompson and Double-A pitchers Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure to the White Sox. This trade demonstrates the Dodgers’ commitment to strengthening their roster and addressing their pitching needs.
Lance Lynn, a 36-year-old veteran, has had a challenging season with a 6.47 ERA and a 6-9 record in 21 starts. However, the Dodgers are betting on his past success and impressive peripherals. Lynn has been a top performer in previous years, finishing in the top six for the Cy Young Award from 2019 to 2021. Despite his struggles this season, several teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers, expressed interest in acquiring Lynn, hoping that some adjustments and regression would allow him to regain his form as a quality starter.
Joe Kelly, 35, is reuniting with the Dodgers after spending the past three seasons with the team. Although he has a 4.97 ERA in 31 appearances this season, Kelly brings valuable experience and familiarity with the Dodgers’ pitching development staff. His previous stint with the team was marked by injury concerns but also showcased his ability to perform at a high level, particularly during the 2021 season when he had a 2.86 ERA in 44 innings before getting injured.
The acquisition of Lynn and Kelly addresses the Dodgers’ need for stability in their rotation. Currently, the team ranks 21st in baseball with a 4.71 ERA from their starting pitchers. They have heavily relied on three rookies who have experienced growing pains in their first taste of the major leagues. Julio Urías and Tony Gonsolin, in particular, have struggled this season with ERAs of 4.98 and 4.25, respectively. Clayton Kershaw, a key member of the rotation, has been sidelined since June with a shoulder issue, while Dustin May is out for the year. Walker Buehler, who underwent Tommy John surgery, is hopeful to return this year but has yet to face hitters. The signing of Noah Syndergaard did not pan out, and he was recently traded to Cleveland.
If Lance Lynn can regain his form as a functional starter, it would be a significant boost for the Dodgers. His track record suggests that he has the potential to be a front-end starter, as demonstrated by his impressive 2.43 ERA in the final two months of the 2021 season. As for Joe Kelly, his return to the Dodgers brings a high-leverage arm with premium stuff, which will benefit the team’s bullpen.
Overall, the Dodgers’ acquisition of Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly demonstrates their commitment to strengthening their roster and addressing their pitching needs. With the playoffs approaching, these additions will provide much-needed stability and depth to their pitching staff. The Dodgers are determined to make another deep postseason run and compete for another World Series title.
(Photo: Jesse Johnson / USA Today)