The Los Angeles Dodgers not only face an abundance of decisions in free agency this winter, but they also must decide on the final year Joe Kelly has remaining on his contract.
The 33-year-old right-hander signed a three-year, $25 million deal in prior to the 2019 season that also included a club option for 2022 at $12 million.
That option also includes $4 million a buyout, so the Dodgers would save $8 million by not picking up Kelly’s option for next season.
It seems the Dodgers are likely to buy out Kelly from the final year of his contract, but they could be open to bringing him back at a reduced cost in free agency, according to Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times:
The Dodgers will pay him the $4 million. A reunion at a cheaper price might then be possible.
If the Dodgers do officially decline his option, Kelly will join Kenley Jansen, Corey Knebel and Jimmy Nelson as the team’s relief pitchers who are on the open market.
Kelly struggled in his first season with the Dodgers, posting a 4.56 ERA in 51.1 innings during the 2019 season, but he also posted a 3.78 FIP while striking out 27.4% of hitters.
During the 2020 season, Kelly only threw 10 innings during the shortened 60 game season but posted a 1.80 ERA. He carried that success into 2021 and pitched to a 2.86 ERA in 44 innings.
Kelly became a go-to reliever for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during their playoff run until he exited a start in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series due to right bicep tightness and was removed from the playoff roster.
The injury could end up affecting Kelly in free agency unless teams are confident he will be recovered in time for next season.
If Kelly is healthy, he should be a popular name for clubs looking for relief pitchers as he has some of the best pure stuff in baseball.
Kelly gathering more information on injury
In addition to Kelly, the Dodgers went into the offseason with Clayton Kershaw (left flexor tendon), Max Muncy (left elbow) and Justin Turner (left hamstring strain) on the mend from respective injuries.
“I think Muncy, J.T., Kersh, it is what it is. We kind of know what it is and now it’s rehab, and they know what they’re focusing on,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently said.
“I think Joe is still getting to the bottom of it, but is feeling better.”
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