*Photo from Dodgers Way*
It appears as if Jim Buchanan is making his way east again. The Chicago White Sox have signed RHP Joe Kelly to a two year contract, with a team option for 2024, according to Bob Nightengale. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the White Sox have confirmed the deal.
With the status of Michael Kopech unknown, the signing of Kelly is a good fallback option. There are questions surrounding Kopech in regards to whether he will start the season in the rotation or bullpen. If he starts, Kelly can help pick up the slack in the bullpen. If he comes out in relief, then Kelly is just another solid option for Tony La Russa to use. Kelly is also a good fallback if the White Sox decide to trade Craig Kimbrel.
La Russa said "Got some kids, a couple of guys that are in minicamp are going to be getting some innings once we play games. The depth thing, just try to build as much depth. If you take Michael himself, if he’s got 75 pitches by the first game of the year, that means he’s most likely going to be the losing pitcher or the no-decision pitcher, right? So do you let somebody else start and give him, I don’t know. It’s too confusing."
Last season, suiting up for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two time world champion had a 2-0 record with a 2.86 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, striking out 50 hitters in 44 innings pitched, making 48 relief appearances. In the playoffs last season, Kelly had a 1-0 record in 7 relief appearances, allowing 3 runs in 5 1/3 innings.
In 10 seasons, split between 3 teams, Kelly has a career 50-29 record with a 3.83 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, throwing 730 2/3 innings across 80 starts and 285 relief appearances. In 40 playoff games, Kelly has a 4-3 record with a 3.55 ERA in 58 1/3 innings pitched.
In Chicago, Kelly joins a bullpen mix that includes Kimbrel, closer Liam Hendriks, Garrett Crochet, Aaron Bummer, and Kendall Graveman, as the White Sox look to defend their AL Central title and make a deep postseason run.
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