Dodgers Rumors: LA ‘Deep in Talks’ with White Sox for Pitching

As the trade rumors continue to heat up ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale dropped a bombshell before lunch on Friday involving the LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.

According to Nightengale, the two organizations are “deep in talks” as the Dodgers are exploring adding former All-Star Lance Lynn and reliever and old friend Joe Kelly.

Both pitchers have been linked to the Dodgers in multiple reports this week as LA looks to bolster its pitching staff for a postseason run.

UPDATE

A move appears to be getting even closer to being done.

As Nightengale notes, the White Sox aren’t the only club the Dodgers are talking to at the moment. Reports surfaced on Thursday that LA was also “engaged in talks” with the St. Louis Cardinals for, among other names, All Star third baseman Nolan Arenado. Presumably, the Dodgers would be asking the Cardinals about their potentially available starting pitchers as well.

Back to the White Sox, both Lynn and Kelly haven’t had the best of seasons on the south side. Lynn has a career-worst 6.47 ERA in 21 starts but some underlying numbers paint the picture of luck very much not being on his side. And with Kelly, he’s throwing harder than he ever has and striking out more batters than he has at any point in his 12 year career, but run prevention has been a struggle. His numbers also point to a bit of bad luck.

While adding a player like Nolan Arenado to the mix would be a game changer, the Dodgers’ clearest need is on the pitching staff. Lynn and Kelly aren’t the sexiest names on the market, but the LA front office has a way of fixing most pitchers not named Noah Syndergaard when they join the organization.

Lynn recently joined the guys at Foul Territory on YouTube where he said he’s fully expecting to be traded while confirming the Dodgers were one of the teams interested in him. The Dodgers are one of the teams on the right-hander’s no trade list but he would likely waive the clause to get a deal done.

Lynn has an $18 million club option for 2024 with a $1 million buyout. Kelly also has an option for 2024.

Photo Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports