Dodgers Outbid Boston Red Sox for Joe Kelly
The week that was will forever the week that Joe Kelly became a Los Angeles Dodger. First, details leaked during the Winter Meetings that the Dodgers had interest in Kelly. Now, we have more details on why Kelly picked the Dodgers over the World Series winning Boston Red Sox.
To a degree, it came down to dollars and cents. In this case, it actually came down to security; and getting a three year deal.
“I don’t know if there was one moment besides this was the team I wanted to play for, this was the team that gave me a three-year deal, $25 million. There wasn’t writing on the wall before that. It was, ‘Here’s a three-year deal,’ and no other team was at the three-year mark. There were other teams in, but no other teams were at the three-year mark. I was already really, really involved with speaking with LA and understanding the philosophies and was already intrigued. So if you want a moment that was probably it.
Moreover, Joe Kelly is a California guy at heart. The right-hander attended Corona High School before pitching at University of Riverside.
Hear more details of the full interview here:
Personally, I’m really excited to see Kelly in Dodger Blue. The guy pitches with true toughness and tenacity. We all saw it in the World Series – he blew away hitters to the tune of 10 strikeouts in six scoreless innings. Los Angeles can use a bull coming out of the pen late in games who passes the baton to Kenley Jansen.
The lights of Chavez Ravine will not be too bright for Kelly. Right at home now, and with the security of a three-year contract; he has the opportunity to settle in and flourish. And hopefully, he wins another title wearing the new uniform.
Since Joe Kelly prevented he Dodgers from getting to the WS in 2013, there is only one way he can redeem himself, and I doubt he will. Another overpaid, over-the-hill, injured reliever, which is Friedman’s specialty.
Right Clint. Boston offered 2 and $10 and we offered 3 and $25. Man did we ever outbid them. A little expensive for triple A don’t you think? Jim has it totally right. A 4.8 ERA. Get serious.