UPDATE: The White Sox have made the signing official, releasing the following tweet. The deal is worth $17 million over two years, with a club option for the 2024 season.
Under terms of the agreement, Kelly will receive $7 million in 2022 and $9 million in 2023, with the White Sox holding a $9.5-million option for 2024 with a $1-million buyout.
The deals have started pouring in with the agreement of the new CBA and the beginning of free agency. After signing Kendall Graveman and Leury Garcia before the lockout, the White Sox made their first post-lockout move, reportedly signing Joe Kelly to a two-year deal. This was first reported by Bob Nightengale.
Kelly, who will be heading into his age-34 season, comes off a three-year stint with the Dodgers. Over that period, he was 7-4 in 115 games, posting a 27% strikeout rate and 9.8% walk rate. His primary pitch is his curveball, followed by a sinker, changeup, and fastball. In 2021, he had a 2.86 ERA in 44 innings.
In Kelly, the White Sox add another high-powered reliever with some solid Postseason experience. He has seen appearances in the 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Postseasons, a total of 58.1 innings with a 3.55 ERA. This experience is something the White Sox have been lacking, and is certainly welcome.
This also almost guarantees that Craig Kimbrel will be traded elsewhere, as with Aaron Bummer, Kendall Graveman, Liam Hendriks, and now Joe Kelly, the White Sox have an abundance of back-of-the-bullpen type arms, making Kimbrel’s $16M more than expendable. It was rumored that he would be traded to Philadelphia before the lockout, but there has been little word about Kimbrel since the lifting of the lockout. This situation will be one to monitor as the offseason continues.
Now, the White Sox likely set their sights on the outfield and starting rotation. More likely to come.
Stay tuned for more updates from us @SoxOn35th!
