The Los Angeles Dodgers have already pulled off two impactful deals ahead of the MLB trade deadline, acquiring some position player help in the process.
Los Angeles is now turning its attention to the pitching market. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Los Angeles is close to acquiring starting pitcher Lance Lynn and reliever Joe Kelly from the Chicago White Sox.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale was among those to report a bit later that the deal is done. Full details of the deal include minor league pitchers Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure as well as outfielder Trayce Thompson heading to Chicago.
The headliner here is Nastrini, who MLB.com had ranked as the Dodgers’ ninth-best prospect heading into the season. The starter was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of UCLA. He’s pitched to a 5-3 record with a 4.03 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with Double-A Tulsa this season. A reliever, Leasure has posted a 3.09 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP and nine saves, also in Double-A. As for Thompson, he’s the younger brother of NBA great Klay Thompson. He hit five homers with a .155 average in 36 games for Los Angeles before being placed on the 60-day injured list.
It’s no surprise that the Dodgers dealt for Lynn. They have reportedly been in the market for the 36-year-old hurler for some time now. Meanwhile, Chicago just traded one of its top chips in that of fellow starter Lucas Giolito in a blockbuster deal with the Texas Rangers.
Los Angeles has been searching for an upgrade in its starting rotation and relief group. Despite being in first place, the Dodgers rank in the bottom 11 in MLB in ERA. They are also in the middle of the pack when it comes to quality starts and WHIP.
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Los Angeles Dodgers record: 58-43, 1st place in the National League West
A two-time All-Star earlier in his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and aforementioned White Sox, Lynn has struggled big time this season. He’s pitching to a 6-9 record with a 6.47 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. Though, he has gone at least five innings in each of his past four starts, striking out 11 against the Toronto Blue Jays two appearances ago.
As for Kelly, the 35-year-old reliever pitched with the Dodgers from 2019-21. He won the World Series with the team back in 2020, pitching to a 1.80 ERA in 12 appearances during the COVID-shortened season.
For the Dodgers, acquiring pitching depth has been a major focus leading up to the MLB trade deadline. In particular, their starting rotation has been ravaged by injury. This includes starters Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Julio Urias, Bobby Miller and Dustin May spending time on the injured list.