Dodgers Fill Needs, But Not Without Risk After Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly Trade

In case you missed it, the Los Angeles Dodgers made one other commerce on Friday as they acquired a pair of pitchers in starter Lance Lynn and reliever Joe Kelly. It’s the workforce’s third deal main as much as Tuesday afternoon’s commerce deadline, as they began this week by dealing for utility man Kiké Hernandez and shortstop Amed Rosario.

All of these swaps fill treasured wants for the Dodgers as they method the stretch run, however within the case of the Lynn and Kelly deal, the commerce isn’t with out danger for Los Angeles.

Now, so far as the necessity portion of the deal, it’s good for LA on the floor. The workforce desperately wanted rotation depth as Clayton Kershaw continues to be hampered by shoulder soreness, Julio Urias hasn’t been his traditional self, and rookie starter Emmet Sheehan has began to indicate cracks after an incredible begin to his massive league profession.

LA may all the time use one other bullpen arm as effectively, as despite the fact that the Dodger aid unit has improved after a traditionally unhealthy begin to their yr, one other addition may present some insurance coverage because the season will get set to hit its peak.

However when trying on the Dodgers’ latest additions, the deal has the potential to go south.

When Joe Kelly — a well-recognized face after spending three seasons in LA — whereas he nonetheless has an electrical fastball, there are indicators for concern.

He has a 4.97 ERA in 2023 — the second-worst mark of his profession behind final season, his first yr in Chicago. His stint with the White Sox didn’t go effectively, and his .327 BABIP (batting common on balls in play) this yr can be regarding for a starter — a lot much less a bullpen arm. With that stated although, he nonetheless has a penchant for the strikeout, with a 12.72 strikeout per 9 innings charge, which can assist Kelly when he will get to LA.

Moreover, Kelly had arguably one of the best stretch of his profession throughout his first run with the Dodgers, so they are able to discover a answer for his issues as soon as once more.

The identical factor goes with Lynn, who has a career-high 6.47 ERA this yr after being an All-Star simply two years in the past. He has an analogous BABIP to Kelly with a .328 mark, however he additionally has a HR/9 ratio of two.11, one other career-high stat for the hurler.

The Dodgers have constructed a fame for constructing gamers into stable contributors, and that might be simply the recipe Lynn and Kelly want.

But when they will’t get again to their previous greatness rapidly, this commerce has the potential to backfire.

Picture Credit score: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports activities