The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed two needs in one fell swoop when they acquired Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn from the Chicago White Sox last week.
Kelly, a fan favorite who previously pitched in parts of three seasons with the Dodgers from 2019-21, is looking to help bolster a bullpen that has been pitching well of late after struggling to begin the season.
As for Lynn, he adds stability to a starting rotation depleted by injuries this year.
“A person that will never quit,” Kelly answered when asked what the Dodgers are getting in Lynn. “He’s one of my friends since 2007. I’m not old compared to real people, right? But to the baseball world, I’m probably one of the older ones. Me and Lance were the oldest on the White Sox.
“We were 17 and played Team USA, so that was where I met him. Went to the Cardinals organization with him and White Sox, so I’ve known him for a very long time. That’s one thing that no one can say. You can’t ever say the guy didn’t try or didn’t compete as hard as he can. He’s still doing it, to me.
“He’d be the first to say he could be a lot better. His peripherals are a little bit better. He’s going to be exciting to watch here, because there’s a lot of smart people here. Maybe they’ll show him something he didn’t even realize or know what he was doing wrong. It can be either mechanically or the way he’s holding his fingers.
“But he’s created a lot of swing and miss this year. I’ve felt bad for him a couple different times. We had a game in Seattle, where he struck out 16 and took the loss. So it’s going to be fun to watch him get re-energized a little bit.
“Obviously, the division is close, so kind of turn it up another level for him. With competition, you guys saw him pitch for Team USA and turn it up a notch. He’s one of those guys that just likes to compete, so you’re going to get a warrior out of Lance Lynn.”
Lynn is scheduled to make Dodgers debut in the series opener against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. He went 6-9 with a 6.18 ERA, 5.22 FIP and 1.44 WHIP in 115 innings over 20 starts for the White Sox this season.
Despite allowing an MLB-worst 79 earned runs and 28 home runs, Lynn should at minimum provide the Dodgers with length in his outings. The team has lacked in that area while relying on three rookies in their rotation because of a rash of injuries, which in turn placed more of a burden on the bullpen.
Lance Lynn looking to rebound with Dodgers
Lynn hopes his trade to the Dodgers will help some of his statistic even out. “I’ve had some ups and downs this year, for sure. When you look at ERA, wins and losses, it’s the worst I’ve ever had in my career,” he said.
“And then you look at strikeouts per nine and stuff like that, they’re the best I’ve ever had. Like I said, it’s been a weird year. Hopefully we can make sure the ERA and wins take care of themselves, and we keep the other things going in a positive direction. Maybe a change of scenery will help that.”
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