The Dodgers addressed two of their biggest needs in one move on Friday, acquiring right-handed starter Lance Lynn and righty reliever Joe Kelly in a trade with the White Sox, sources told MLB.com’s Juan Toribio and Scott Merkin. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Chicago will receive outfielder Trayce Thompson and Minor League right-handers Nick Nastrini (L.A.’s No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and Jordan Leasure. The teams have not confirmed the trade.
The veteran Lynn will immediately bolster a Dodgers rotation that has been forced to rely on several rookies due to injury. The 36-year-old is having a down year for the White Sox, with a 6-9 record, a 6.47 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 119 2/3 innings, but he’s finished in the top six in Cy Young voting three times since 2019.
The trade marks a reunion between Kelly and Los Angeles, where he had the best years of his career from 2019-21, including helping the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series. Kelly (4.97 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 29 innings) is 1-for-7 in save opportunities and has spent time on the IL with a groin strain and right elbow inflammation this year with the White Sox, but he is a two-time champion (also 2018 Red Sox) with a 3.55 career postseason ERA.
