As the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to bolster their starting rotation and bullpen at the 2023 MLB trade deadline, they addressed both needs by acquiring Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn from the Chicago White Sox.
It marked a reunion for Kelly as he previously pitched for the Dodgers from 2019-2021 and played a key role in helping the team win the 2020 World Series.
Kelly’s second stint in L.A. was marred by a nearly five-week stint on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation, but he remained effective when healthy. The right-hander went 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA, 1.32 FIP, 0.87 WHIP and 16.5 strikeouts per nine in 10.1 innings over 11 games.
The Dodgers held a $9.5 million club option on Kelly for the 2024 season but reportedly declined it and will pay a $1 million buyout instead, per Rob Bradford of WEEI.com:
Per source, the Dodgers are not picking up the $9.5 million option on Joe Kelly. There is a $1 million buyout.
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) November 5, 2023
The Dodgers — and all other teams and players — had five days from the World Series ending to make decisions on contract options for next year.
When the offseason officially began, the Dodgers faced choices on Kelly, Daniel Hudson, Lance Lynn, Max Muncy, Alex Reyes and Blake Treinen. Muncy was the first they addressed by signing him to a two-year contract extension that also includes another team option option for 2026.
That was followed by reports of the Dodgers declining Lynn’s contract option for 2024 and doing the same with Reyes.
As for Kelly, he’s now a free agent in what’s a relatively shallow pool of available relief pitchers on the open market. Although the Dodgers decided against keeping him under contract at a $9.5 million salary, Kelly theoretically could still be re-signed under different terms.
Mariachi Joe Kelly mural at Dodger Stadium
Artist Jonas Never painted a new Mariachi Joe Kelly mural this past September, taking inspiration from the right-hander’s famed outfit when the Dodgers visited the White House to celebrate their 2020 World Series title.
In 2021, Never painted a mural of Kelly holding his 2020 World Series ring with the pouty face that went viral as part of an exchange with Carlos Correa. Never painted the mural at the Baby Blues BBQ location in Venice.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
