Dodgers News: GM Shares What He Likes About Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly Additions
The Dodgers traded away pitching prospects Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure and outfielder Trayce Thompson in return for right-handers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly from the Chicago White Sox.
Lynn is in his 13th season in the majors and holds a 6.47 ERA across 21 starts for the White Sox. Last season, his ERA was 3.99 in the same amount of games.
Dodger fans will be familiar with Joe Kelly, who spent three seasons with the Dodgers and was a member of the 2020 World Series team. The reliever has made 31 appearances for the White Sox this season with a 4.97 ERA.
Nastrini was probably the most desirable part of the trade for the White Sox, as the former fourth-round pick was on Baseball Prospectus’ preseason top-100 prospects list. Thompson is in the middle of a brutal stretch after missing significant time due to an oblique injury. He is averaging .155 at the plate this season.
As the trade deadline approaches, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the front office was sorting through the “difference-makers versus floor-raisers.” General manager Brandon Gomes thinks Lynn and Kelly check both boxes.
“I think they’re both,” Gomes said. “Joe’s stuff is elite. Lance Lynn has been an elite starter at times. … His strikeout-to-walk rates are really strong. So it’s the ability to both raise our floor with the opportunity to also add some real ceiling in there with some guys that have performed at the highest level on the biggest stage.”
(Via The Orange County Register)
Dave Roberts also added his thoughts on Lynn, who has made it into the sixth inning in 14 of his 21 starts this season.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things about [Lynn] as far as the compete, the preparedness. He’s a guy that takes the baseball. He goes deep into games and, you know, victim of sort of the circumstance. I just feel that getting in this environment, playing meaningful games will bring out the best in him,” Roberts said.
(Via SportsNet LA)
While Lynn’s ERA is nothing to write home about, he does post a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio and will add veteran experience to a rotation that has seen three rookies make a significant amount of starts. Gomes thinks that some time with the Dodgers will be beneficial to helping Lynn improve as a pitcher.
“Outside of the batted-ball stuff, his under-the-hood stuff is not that much different than it’s been in the past,” Gomes said. “As well as doing some digging, we think there’s some suggestions we have on pitch usage that should be helpful. So getting him in our environment with our pitching guys and the energy that guys will have around him is really exciting.”
(Via The Orange County Register)
It is unclear when Lynn or Kelly will make their first appearance in Dodger Blue this season.
Photo Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
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