Dodgers Raise Floor and Ceiling with Busy Week of Trades

Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn will limit the damage and help them in the postseason.

Friday, the Dodgers acquired Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly from the Chicago White Sox. The pair has combined for a 6.17 ERA over 148.2 innings this season but the hope is that both find a way back to success in LA.

Dodgers general manager discussed the additions with reporters on Friday. The question the club has faced a few times since first re-acquiring Kiké Hernandez on Tuesday was asked again... is this a floor raising move for the roster? 

“I think they’re both,” Brandon Gomes said of Lynn and Kelly as floor-raisers or difference-makers. “Joe’s stuff is elite. Lance Lynn has been an elite starter at times. … His strikeout-to-walk rates are really strong. So it’s the ability to both raise our floor with the opportunity to also add some real ceiling in there with some guys that have performed at the highest level on the biggest stage.”

Via OC Register

Kelly has a 99-miles-per-hour fastball and unhittable curve. If he can remain healthy and throw strikes, he can be dominant. Unlike most Dodger relievers, Kelly can strike out a batter seemingly at will. Dave Roberts can bring Kelly into a jam, and Kelly will limit the damage.

While Lynn’s ERA is 6.47, he doesn’t walk people. In 119.2 innings, Lynn has allowed 44 walks. Making the opposition get hits to reach base is crucial. Good teams use walks to score runs, particularly during the playoffs. Lynn can get a strikeout when he is in a jam. He has 144 strikeouts.

Dave Roberts shared his excitement about the addition of Lynn on Friday.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about him as far as the compete, the preparedness. He’s a guy that takes the baseball. He goes deep into games and, you know, victim of sort of the circumstance. I just feel that getting in this environment, playing meaningful games will bring out the best in him.”

Both Kelly and Lynn will help the Dodgers reach the playoffs and go deep in the postseason.