Pitcher Joe Kelly Inks One-Year Deal but Shohei Ohtani’s Jersey Number 17 Snatched in Dodgers Camp

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a move that raises doubt. While on one hand there’s clarity on the pitcher they’ve signed, on the other, there is ambiguity on another major possibility. The reliever who went on to become a free agent seems like he will be seen in the same uniform next year as well. Though, only for a brief stint. 

It is not to be forgotten that the Dodgers are the favorite forerunners in the Shohei Ohtani chase. However, the acquisition of Joe Kelly who shares the same jersey number as the two-way-phenom blurs that possibility. However, it is worth diving into what drove the Boys in Blue to take this call. 

Joe Kelly Walks Into His New Team

Well, Los Angeles has re-signed the veteran reliever for one year after waiting for Kelly to pass the physical earlier today. Multiple reports including @JonHeyman’s made it evident that “Joe Kelly close to a Dodgers deal”. Soon after that, @TalkinBaseball_ reported, “Joe Kelly is going back to the Dodgers on a one-year deal”. 

Last month, Los Angeles chose not to exercise a $9.5 million club option on the player represented by ACES. Instead, they opted to buy out Kelly for $1 million, allowing him to enter free agency.  

With the 35-year-old joining the ‘Boys in Blue’, it will mark his third stint with the franchise. The reliever first signed a three-year – $25MM with the team as a free agent during the 2018-19 offseason. That however was followed by L.A. declining a $12MM club option for the next year. With that, Kelly moved on to the Chicago While Sox, and signed a two-year – $17MM deal where he played the latest season.

That said, the following performance metric come into picture. Before the trade, with the White Sox, the Anaheim-born posted a 4.97 ERA over 29 inning. However, upon returning to his former team, he regained his form. He achieved an impressive 1.74 ERA in 10 1/3 innings across 11 appearances for the Dodgers. Given that Kelly’s secondary statistics with Chicago were more promising than his ERA suggested, the Dodgers predict a positive shift. But there is a flip side. 

Los Angeles Dodgers Heading Into Uncertainties

Over the course of the previous four seasons, Kelly has been on the IL 8 times. Three of those absences occurred in 2023 and were brought on by strains to his groin, elbow, and forearm. Owing to that, Kelly lost almost two months of play raising questions about his health. Nevertheless, for the next season, he is set to continue as number 17 in the Dodgers. It is tough to overlook that the unicorn, the hottest free agent in the market also wears the same number. With that, here comes the raging question.

Read More: Dodgers Remain Shohei Ohtani Favorites as Other Teams Creep Into the Race With Crucial Winter Meetings Nearing

Are the Dodgers looking away from the Japanese star pitcher and hitter? Could the tables have turned despite allegedly leading the race of the Ohtani pursiut? Now that number 17 is snatched in the Dodgers camp, what could it mean for other teams in that pursuit? Well, these are questions that Kelly’s signing brings. One can only wait and watch patiently.  

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