The Dodgers had a $9.5 million club option on Kelly for the 2024 MLB season but decided to pass on it in favor of a $1 million buyout. However, it appears that there is no bad blood between the two sides because of that move because the 35-year-old player will continue calling Los Angeles his home
By bringing back Kelly, the Dodgers ensure continuity for a bullpen that performed well last season. Besides Kelly, it also included closer Evan Phillips, veteran Brusdar Graterol, and lefty Caleb Ferguson, all of whom will also return for the 2024 campaign.
Joe Kelly initially joined the Dodgers in 2019 on a three-year deal after stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox. He helped the franchise win a World Series in 2020 before leaving for the Chicago White Sox a year later.
The Dodgers re-acquired Kelly at the trade deadline, and it proved to be a great move. He played in 11 games, pitching 10 ½ innings and having a 1.74 ERA with 19 strikeouts.
